Throughout March, the Salisbury Post has been taking a look at women who have made groundbreaking achievements during their lifetime in recognition of Women’s History Month.

Virginia Burleson was hired Feb, 1, 1952, as a full-service police officer for the Salisbury Police Department.

On the day she began working, three other women were hired by the department. They were Jane Page, Polly Stone and Katherine Weaver, who all served their community by keeping an alert eye on school children. The four found the role satisfying, as they noted in a past Salisbury Post article. In time, they assumed additional duties as needed.

Dave Shuler, who was police chief at that time, was quoted as saying, “they have done well, and they have filled real needs.”

A charter member of the North Carolina Policewoman’s Association and a past president, Burleson served on the board of directors until 1973. She was also a member of the Retired Peace Officers’ Association.

Burleson was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Salisbury, the choir, women’s circle and Dorcas Sunday School Class. She was also noted to be an accomplished seamstress and made Easter dresses for residents of the Baptist Children’s Home for 25 years.

She and her husband of 64 years, Cecil Clay Burleson, had three children. She died in 2019.

If you have a photo to share or a story to tell illustrating Women’s History Month, please email editor Chandler Inions at chandler.inions@salisburypost.com.