Sheila Burke, executive dean of the Kennedy School of Government, is one of seven recipients of the Business and Professional Women/USA Magnificent Seven Award being presented this week in Washington. The award honors leading advocates of women's equity in the workplace through their professional accomplishments as trailblazers in their chosen fields, or through their corporate philosophy of pro-female, pro-family.

Burke is being honored for her work as chief of staff for former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole and for breaking new ground as the first woman chief of staff to a Senate majority leader. As such, she was responsible for managing all aspects of the Leader's office, from staff oversight to the details of major Senate and welfare legislation. As Senator Dole's principal staff person for health, welfare, and social security issues, Burke earned a reputation as one of America's most respected voices on health care reform.

"It is an honor to be recognized alongside such an outstanding group of women," said Burke. "I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Senator Dole and to help shape this country's health care policy."

Burke began her association with the Kennedy School in 1980 as a research assistant in the School's Center for Health Policy and Management (since renamed the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy). She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the School in 1982, and chaired the School's national Alumni Council for several years. She served on the Kennedy School's Visiting Committee from 1986 to 1992, and again from 1993 to 1996. She has also been a member of the Advisory Board of the Wiener Center since 1988.

Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA) promotes equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education, and information. BPW/USA monitors federal legislation that affects working women and educates its members to become involved in public policy development in their own workplaces, and at the local, state and federal government levels. With 70,000 members in more than 2,000 local organizations represented in every congressional district in the country, BPW/USA has been a leader in passing key legislation affecting working women, including the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.

Prior Magnificent Seven awardees include Assistant U.S. Surgeon General Susan J. Blumenthal, U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun (D-Ill.), and UPI White House Bureau Chief Helen Thomas. In addition to Burke, this year's awardees include forensic artist Jean Marie Boylan, Aviation General Manager of Hartsfield International Airport Angela Gittens, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), CNN's Prime Anchor and Senior Correspondent Judy Woodruff, Director of Supplier Technical Assistance for Ford Motor Company Linda Miller, and Fannie Mae Inc.