Karen Williams is a retired educator, social justice and women’s right to vote activist, board member and community volunteer.

 

Since 1975, Karen has been an educator committed to helping children of all ages to read and succeed.  Her love and commitment to helping children do their best started when she became a teacher at Glenwood Elementary School.  From 1975 she held numerous positions from Classroom Teacher, Title 1 Parent Educator, Alternative School Lead Teacher/ Administrator, KCS Personnel Coordinator to becoming Head Start Director in 2004.  She also taught ten years as an Instructor at West Virginia State University in the ROTC, English and Education Departments.   For 40 years, Karen has been a powerful and caring teacher who has touched the lives of so many young people in helping and guiding them to love reading and education. Karen recently returned to work as the Health Resource Service Administration Director for the Partnership of African American Churches. 

 

Her love of activism came very early in Karen’s life.  For years Karen has lead campaigns for social justice and women’s right to vote.  She has organized rallies, caravans and spoken to young people, and adults about the importance of registering to vote, “Strolling to the Polls” and exercising their right to vote.  She has dedicated her life to building the political power of underrepresented people by helping them to register to vote.  Voter outreach has been a priority in her life and having discussions with political leaders on issues that are concerning to low income and minority communities.  Her passion of equal economic, political, and social justice is recognized in word and deed. 

 

Karen is a member of Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church, The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Gamma Chi Omega Chapter, Poor People’s Campaign, Rise Up WV, NAACP, Black Voter Impact Initiative, WV Panhellenic Council, the Charleston Light Opera Guild.   She has served on numerous boards and committees giving of her time and resources to serving others in our community. 

 

Karen is the wife of 46 years to her college sweetheart and travel partner John Williams, mother of adult children Janelle Williams, graduate of WVU, Jocelyn and Johnny graduates of WVSU. She is most pleased to be grandmother of her three-year-old grandson Bryson.