Background
Burns, Virginia was born on June 10, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Daughter of Thomas Patrick and Katherine Louise (Dempsey) Burns.
Burns, Virginia was born on June 10, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Daughter of Thomas Patrick and Katherine Louise (Dempsey) Burns.
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Boston University, 1946. Master of Social Work, Boston University, 1951. Doctor of Education honors, Wheelock College, 1994.
Group work specialist Boston Children's Service Association, 1951-1958. Group work consultant East London Family Service Units, 1958-1959. Associate executive secretary group work council Welfare Federation Cleveland, 1959-1962.
Senior staff member Office Juvenile Delinquency & Youth Development United States Department Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, 1962-1967, assistant to assistant secretary community services, 1967-1969. Senior associate youth involvement study New Transcentury Foundation, 1969-1970. Associate professor, director social service project University Chicago, School Social Service Administration, 1970-1973.
Director community service, division drug rehabilitation Department Mental Health, Boston, 1973-1976. Director consultant & education program Massachusetts Mental Health Center, 1976-1982. Lecturer mental health Harvard Medical School, 1978-1982.
Director advocacy, Boston Children Service Association Massachusetts Society Prevention of Cruelty Children, 1983-1994. Instructor social welfare, coordinator community projects Smith College School Social Work, Northampton, Massachusetts, 1994-1999. Instructor social welfare policy Salem (Massachusetts) State College School Social Work, 1993-1999.
Consultant in field.
Founding chair Children's Advocacy Network Massachusetts, 1984—1993, Latchkey Children's Coalition Massachusetts, 1988—1992. Vice president Massachusetts Human Service Coalition, 1984—1999. Legislation liaison Massachusetts Working Group on Women in Prison, since 2000.
Board directors Hispanic Office Planning and Evaluation, 1990—1997, Here House, 1989—1990, Parents Helping Parents, 2001—2002. Board advisors Aid to Incarcerated Mothers, 2002—2006. Active United Fair Economy, Boston, 1994—1999, Tax Equity Alliance Massachusetts, 1990—1999.
Member advisory committee Wheelock College, 1999—2005. Board member Institute Health & Recovery, 2008, Cambridge Forum, 2009—2010. Board directors Mission Hill Health Movement, 2007.
Member of National Association of Social Workers (chair political action committee Massachusetts chapter 1984—2006, award for greatest contribution to social policy and change 1990, Lifetime Achievement award 2003-2004), Boston University Alumni Association (Distinguished).