Maggie Burk

Community Advocate, Gem City Action; Board Member, Greater Dayton LGBT Center; Board Member and Youth Program Chair, Dayton United for Human Rights

Maggie Burk, a Kettering Foundation 2026 Dayton Democracy Fellow, is a proud community member focused on educating and advocating for human rights in as many spaces as possible. Burk has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wright State University and a master’s in criminal justice through the University of Cincinnati. She has pursued a career path that gives her the opportunity to work with youth and families. Her community and democracy work includes being a board member and youth program chair for Dayton United for Human Rights, a board member for the Greater Dayton LGBT Center, and a community advocate with Gem City Action. As a member of Dayton United for Human Rights, Burk is given the opportunity to work with youth through a program called Artivism, in which youth get to learn from local community advocates, experience the importance of civic engagement, and complete different art projects led by local artists. Through the Greater Dayton LGBT Center, Burk takes part in Pride planning and hosts various community programming opportunities. Through Gem City Action, Burk worked with the group to open a Free Store while hosting various events and teach-ins. Community is the foundation of every decision she makes, ensuring her work and volunteer time focuses on uplifting voices, advocating for change, and collaborating with various organizations and individuals. From organizing mutual aid efforts and community care to collecting petition signatures and voter protection, Burk does her best to ensure that every voice is uplifted and human rights are the center of every event.