She was a student of renowned artist Nancy Elizabeth Prophet her mentor. Magee was reportedly frequently invited to attend faculty and social gathering with noted intellectual luminaires such as W.E. B. DuBois. In homage to her teacher and mentor, Magee created her Portrait of Nancy Elizabeth Prophet in 1942, during her sophomore year at Spelman.

Magee, who seemed to have left an indelible impression on her teacher, was recommend for consideration to create a marble portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Societal pressures—“racial and sexual obstacles,” however led Magee to decline the opportunity.