Vivian Burke the one of the first two African American women elected to the Winston-Salem Board Aldermen in 1977 and is the longest serving elected official in the City’s history. She served the constituents of the Northeast Ward proudly for 43 years. She is the first African American woman to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore and the first woman to chair the Public Safety Committee for the City of Winston-Salem. The Winston-Salem Chronicle established the Vivian H. Burke Public Safety Award in her honor and presents it to recipients annually. She served as a member of the official delegation to meet with Mrs. Rose Carter and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Mondale upon their visits to Winston-Salem. The Winston-Salem City Council voted to dedicate a bust placed in City Hall to honor Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian Burke. The dedication was held on February 3, 2014. Mrs. Burke passed on May 5, 2020.
