About

Hey Y’all!

I am Candice Workman. I am a former educator with McDowell County Schools, where I taught elementary art (grades K-5th), and McDowell Tech Community College where I taught in the Adult High School program, the English Language Learning program, and computer literacy classes. I currently work at the McDowell County Public Library where I manage the Local History and Genealogy Room, helping folks piece together history.

I am a mom to an amazingly talented and creative daughter, Athena, and a partner to an understanding and hardworking man, Hugo. We live in East Marion where I feel so at home because this was the community that raised me. Both sets of my grandparents worked in the East Marion Manufacturing Mill which gave them the ability to build and raise a family. One set living on Third Street, the other living on Ridge Street, better known as Steep Street to the locals. I spent many summers looking out over the East Marion community from Ridge Street while learning life lessons from my grandfather, better known as Cacaw. 

When I was young my parents moved to Nebo, where I grew up. But as an adult I continued to gravitate back to East Marion because of those summers with my Cacaw, my time going to school at Eastfield, and the early mornings when Mom would drop me off at Mamaw and Cacaw’s house before school. I love East Marion, the history, and the folks who grew up in the shadow of the mill, and the memories it holds for me. So, I returned. 

During my 20s, which sometimes seems a lifetime ago, I worked, and I mean I worked a lot! In 2012, I began working full time at the Grove Park Inn, and by 2013, I was attending the University of North Carolina in Asheville. In 2016, I graduated from school with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and also transitioned to working at Mission Hospital. But driving to Asheville everyday became quite exhausting so by 2017, I decided to seek out work closer to home. To try to stay busy,  I applied for several jobs, and was given offers to work at three different places, and because I couldn’t say no, I said yes to having three part time jobs. I worked as a Postal Carrier for Nebo, a Tutor at West McDowell Middle School, and a Bookseller at Barnes and Noble. 

And in 2018, I decided with three part time jobs, it was time to get my Master’s. I applied for a remote program in History through the University of North Carolina Wilmington and was accepted. After being accepted I did leave Barnes and Noble, but transitioned in McDowell County Schools to be the Art Teacher at Eastfield Global Magnet School, a full time job. The reason I share this information is because I am dedicated, and hard working. And even on tough days I still show up. I continue to live by this philosophy. I completed my Master’s in 2020, but I did decide in 2019 that it was time to stick to just one fulltime job. 

My time at Eastfield was the most fulfilling job I have ever worked. Building relationships with young students and watching them grow is incredibly rewarding. I have so many fond memories of my time there. And I felt like it was a return to home, since it was also my Elementary School. Being there stirred strong emotions in me, and encouraged me to seek out ways to help my community. Then Covid struck. Covid was so devastating to the children who did not understand why they could not be with their friends and teachers. With a crew of assistant teachers I helped deliver meals and food boxes to our students, greet children and their families as they came by to pick up meals and schoolwork, and offer a smile when a child needed to see a familiar face. This was the moment I realized how much effort goes into building strong communities. Support, first and foremost, and from a place of love that lifts people up. It gives them hope, stability, and encouragement. And also pride in their community. 

When I left Eastfield in 2022 and began working at McDowell Tech, I was also faced with another consequence of Covid. Several kids who had left school because virtual learning was not well organized and a scary experience, were coming back to school to get their High School Equivalencies. In many ways this experience at McDowell Tech taught me patience. We all go through life differently, and life is not a set plan. Life gets in the way of our dreams. But perseverance is strong. Building strong communities requires patience and determination. And it also requires dreaming. I take pride in watching the students I had at McDowell Tech, many in their early 20s and late teens but some much older, graduate on stage. The dedication they had speaks volumes, and should also be a lesson in keeping our judgements to ourselves. We live in a community where not everyone is on a set path. Extending empathy to those whose paths have been different than our own is what makes a community grow. Everyone should have the opportunity to heal and be successful.

McDowell showed how strong it was in late September and October of 2024. Wow! Is all I can say of the organizations and efforts it took after Helene’s devastation. I had recently been hired at the McDowell Public Library, who had suffered a flood in May of 2024. We were worried that we would suffer damage after just reopening the downstairs, but we were spared. Unfortunately many throughout the county were not. We were at our strongest through the efforts to help those who could not help themselves. That is what empathy is, and what it does. It allows ourselves to feel the pain others go through, and challenge ourselves to do something about it. In the case of Helene, thousands of donations poured in, countless meals were donated from local businesses, and so many people answered the call. Amazing volunteers for search efforts, building supply boxes, and a general outpouring of love. This was strength. Checking on your neighbors is strength. I personally want to thank all those who worked and volunteered for this community. We could not have been so resilient had these efforts not been automatic. Our Emergency Operations Center was excellent in everything they did! 

Ultimately the last few years have taught me our community is great. We can do great things. We can work together. We can build each other up. Doing these positive things requires us to be empathic to our neighbors. Our greatest strength can be found by looking past what makes us different and towards what makes us human. I share my story because I do not come from a fancy background, I do not come from money, I do not have years of experience in government. I am a hard worker, and I will work hard for Marion. I worry about the state of our world, not just our nation. I am running for Marion City Council as someone who has always lived in this community. As someone who cares deeply for this community. As someone who understands the history and that which has previously separated us. I am running because I see the strength of Marion when we come together. We, as a community, need to extend our tables, not build walls. Marion should be welcoming to all, whether Native or Newcomer. I believe the City of Marion should embrace the creativity and diversity of her residents. We need to be a narrative of progress and innovation; a place all should be proud to call HOME. All politics are local. If you want to see the world change, you have to start at HOME.