Ms. Burke was an excellent scholar and graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1908 with a B.A. degree. She majored in Latin and also studied Greek, German, English, political science, chemistry and physics.

After graduation, she taught for one year in Georgia and then moved to Kansas City, Kansas to teach in Sumner High School. At Sumner, she was employed to teach Latin, German and English as well as one class in home economics. Her work in home economics was so exceptional, she was asked to consider concentrating in this subject area since there were so few teachers in what was considered a new field. Accordingly, she studied at the University of Chicago and at Columbia University where she earned her master's degree in home economics.

She chartered the first three chapters after incorporation: Beta Chapter in Chicago (1913), Gamma Chapter at the University of Illinois (1913), and Delta Chapter at the University of Kansas (1914).

Ms. Burke contributed further to the development of Alpha Kappa Alpha as a national organization by establishing additional graduate chapters. She attended and contributed to many Boules and on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary Boule in 1958 had this to say:

In the mid 1940s, she returned to Washington and became a member of Xi Omega Chapter. She participated in chapter activities and attended Boules and regional conferences. Ms. Burke served for a time as manager of Slowe Hall, a residence for graduate women students at Howard University, named for Howard's first dean of women - her classmate Lucy Slowe. She took this position after her retirement from the Atlantic City public school system.

In 1968, she was honored at the 60th anniversary celebration of Founders' Day in Washington at a special banquet where Norma Boyd and Lavinia Norman were the other featured guests.

Ms. Burke was a member of the NAACP and the YWCA in Washington, D.C., and also was a member of the Workers Organization which helps young women to find gainful employment. She was active in her professional organization, the National Education Association. Ms. Burke continued to practice her skills in home economics and was known for her beautiful sewing and tailoring.

After her retirement from her position at Howard University, Ms. Burke continued her interest in the New Hampshire Avenue Neighborhood Club and the Berean Baptist Church where she was a loyal and valuable member. She participated in senior citizen activities until her death.

Her faithful friends in Xi Omega Chapter knew her as a loyal Alpha Kappa Alpha woman - a good person who always helped people and shared her all with anyone whom she found in need.

Beulah Elizabeth Burke died on April 8, 1975 in Washington, D.C. She is buried in Lincoln Cemetery.