Harkins was the first graduate of Boston College's Women in Politics and Government program to be elected to the Massachusetts General Court.

Prior to being elected to the legislature, Harkins served six years on the Needham School Committee and directed a collaborative vocational training program for 13 towns in the Metrowest area.

Before her appointment, she served as the Assistant Majority Whip and the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Education Arts and Humanities.

[1] She also hosts the Needham community access program, Citizen's Roll Call, a series where Massachusetts officials join her to discuss issues of the day.

Previous guests included Congressman Stephen F. Lynch and Representative Peter Koutoujian, the House Chair of Public Health.