Winifred Burks-Houck was born on August 20, 1950, in Anniston, Alabama, to parents Matthew Burks and Mary Emma Goodson-Burks. She was the great, great, great-granddaughter of noted abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
Burks-Houck pledged as a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority as an undergraduate student at Dillard University. After graduation, she remained a loyal member of the San Francisco-Peninsula Alumnae Chapter of the sorority to continue their mission of community advocacy and activism. She served in various leadership roles during her time in alumnae chapter, holding positions as the president from 1987 – 1989, vice-president, chair of fundraising and chapter coordinator for the annual Soul Stroll for Health. At the Delta Sigma Theta's 43rd annual national convention, Burks-Houck was recognized as a Project Cherish Honoree for her outstanding work in the field of science.