After graduation, she worked as a legal secretary at the state attorney general's office and the Seattle Urban League.

Her brother, Fred, had considered contesting the race but ultimately decided to go to law school and campaign signs had already been printed with their surname.

Maxie ran with the support of her brother, Robert, who was active in the Democratic Party, and her campaign manager, Jim McGill, a professor at Seattle University.

[1] Following her election, she was accepted to the graduate school at the University of Washington and received special permission from the dean of social work to commence her studies while serving as a legislator.

[2][3] Following her election, Maxie challenged the proposed redistricting based on the 1970 census, which threatened to disrupt her district.

Through this role, she spoke out against an increase in tuition for state universities and college proposed by Governor Dan Evans.

Maxie introduced a resolution to refer the question to a citizen's task force to study the issue and report back to the committee.

[2][3] She also co-sponsored the Displaced Homemakers Act, along with R. Lorraine Wojahn, which assisted women who lost income because of the death or disability of a spouse or following divorce.