CONCORD, N.C. — The City of Concord's new electric systems operations center just got a new name.

On Thursday, city officials dedicated the building to Ella Mae P. Small, the first woman to serve on Concord City Council.

Small was first appointed to the council following the unexpected passing of her husband, Allen Small.

"I was the one they chose to complete his term and I was only going to be there two years and after talking with my fellow council members and the mayor, they felt like maybe I should run for his seat and I did,” she said.

She ended up serving for 15 years, sitting on the council from 2006 to 2021.

“It really filled that void in my life after I lost my husband,” Ella Small said. “I was so involved with trying to do things for the city and help other people, I didn’t have time to have a pity party for myself."

She lived a life of service.

Ella Small taught for 42 years and also served as an executive director and member of the board of directors for the Logan Community Child Development Center for more than 50 years.

The building dedication adds to a long list of accolades held by Ella Small.

Her husband also has a bridge named after him.

Ella Small says she’s worked hard to create a good quality of life for everyone in Concord.

“So that was my main goal, to make sure that everyone was included and that we were all for the service of the people who needed it,” she said.

The city says the new electric systems operations center is a state-of-the-art facility that will allow them to grow with the community.