Teaching International speaker to explore the topic of modern slavery

On Tuesday, March 22, from 12:15-1:30 p.m., Mary C. Burke will make a presentation in the Ostermayer Room of the Student Community Center exploring the topic of modern-day slavery. The event is open to the campus and the public. Burke is a faculty member in the Psychology Department at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, where she is the director for the doctoral program in counseling psychology. During the summer months, Burke serves as affiliate faculty in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Currently, Burke represents the Association for Women in Psychology on the United Nations Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations Committee on Mental Health. In addition to her participation in various national and international professional associations, Burke founded and directs the Project to End Human Trafficking (www.endhumantrafficking.org). This United States based non-profit group works regionally, nationally, and internationally to raise awareness about the enslavement and economic exploitation of human beings. In this role, Burke has given more than 150 talks about human trafficking both in the United States and abroad and has begun antitrafficking coalitions in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. In addition, she has spoken to various state and regional elected officials in Pennsylvania and Virginia regarding this issue and has worked on legislation in these states in support of strengthening human trafficking laws.

Burke currently serves on Pennsylvania?s Senate Resolution 253 Advisory Committee, which was established for the purpose of making recommendations to the State?s General Assembly regarding human trafficking in Pennsylvania. In the Allegheny County region of Pennsylvania, Burke initiated the Southwestern Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition in 2006. Over the past three years, the Coalition has provided services to 35 victims of trafficking. Awards most recently received by Burke include the Max & Esther Sestili Award for Excellence in Teaching (2010), Woman of the Year Award from Zonta International (2009), as well as recognition from both the City of Pittsburgh (2009) and Allegheny County (2010) respectively for her activism in human trafficking in the local community.

Burke?s appearance is a part of the Globalization and Sustainability Speaker Series sponsored by Penn State Greater Allegheny?s Teaching International, Greener Allegheny, and Honors Programs.