She is a recipient of a platinum award from the Leadership Training Institute of the National League of Cities. She is president-elect of Women in Municipal Government.
She received her master's degree in Public Health from the University of Alabama - Birmingham and her bachelor's degree in health Science, with highest honors, from Florida International University. She is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte Class VIII.
Burgess is on the board and executive committee of Women in Municipal Government and a former member of the Council of the Institute of Youth, Education and Families and the Democratic Governance Panel. she served on Charlotte Board of Education from 1990 to 1997 and as chair from 1995 to 1997. Other public service includes Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Democratic Leadership Council - Local Elected Officials Network, and Women's Political Caucus. Her community service activities include Girl Scouts - Hornets Nest Council, Drug Education Center, League of Women voters, Women's Political Caucus, Sister to Sister Women's Heart Health Fair, and the American heart Association's Charlotte Goes Red for Women. She is the founder of Smoke Free Charlotte. She has received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest citizens' award, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Keeper of the Dream Award."
She and her husband, W. Patrick Burgess, MD - PhD, have four children and six grandchildren.
