About Me
About Karen
Karen’s Family Values
A lifelong Floridian, Karen was taught the value of public service at a young age. Her mother, Betty Castor, set an example early on when she courageously ran to become the first woman elected to the Hillsborough County Commission and again as the first woman elected statewide in Florida as the Commissioner of Education. Her father, Don Castor, initiated the Bay Area Legal Services for low-income residents before being elected to serve as a County Court Judge. Their legacy of serving with integrity continues to be a source of inspiration.
Public School Teacher
Karen started her teaching career at Audubon Park Elementary and later taught at Aloma, Dommerich, Lake Sybelia, and Riverdale Elementary Schools. She integrated civics throughout her lessons, laying the foundation for her students about how our democracy works and their responsibility to be informed and engaged citizens. She was a CTA union leader at her school for several years, making sure teachers were respected and their voices were valued.
Florida State Legislator
As a State Representative, Karen defended a woman’s right to choose, fought for a fully-funded public education system, voted against industrial polluters, worked for equal rights for LGBTQ citizens, and was designated a “Middle Class Champ” by Progress Florida. After Karen won her first election, she met with Supervisor Bill Cowles to find out why the library in the wealthier Winter Park area was designated as an Early Voting location, when the library in the Historic Town of Eatonville, where many residents had less reliable transportation, was not. After he explained that restrictions in the law prevented the use of the smaller library and the nearby city building was not allowed by Florida statute, she filed the bill allowing municipal buildings to be used in Early Voting throughout the state. Karen is proud the law allows the new voting location at the Eatonville Town Hall.
Orange County School Board
Karen currently serves on the Orange County School Board, where she has been a voice for ALL students, teachers and families. During a timeof extreme partisan attacks on our schools, Karen has pushed back against book-banning, defended the teaching of comprehensive and accurate African American history, defended our LGBTQ+ students against hateful policies and attacks by Gov. DeSantis, and worked to keep June recognized as Pride and Pulse Remembrance Month. Karen was a member of the team proposing the state’s Black History Museum in Eatonville and led the school board to donate 10 acres of the Hungerford Property to help make it a reality. Additionally, Karen helped to open the new Orange Technical College Campus in Eatonville, which also serves as a tribute to the original Hungerford Normal and Industrial School on the same site.
Student Voter Registration
After learning that many students were not registered to vote upon crossing the stage at graduation, she expanded opportunities for students to register to vote so they are prepared to engage in the electoral process before they graduate. During the last month of school, she partnered with the League of Women Voters and the Supervisor of Elections office to assist high school seniors at 14 high schools with voter registration as they turned in their laptops and picked up their caps and gowns. With over 850 graduates successfully added to the voter rolls, OCPS plans to bring in more community partners and expand the program to every high school next year.
Community Volunteer
In addition to her public service, Karen has volunteered for many years with several local organizations, including as the Chair of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, with the Junior League of Greater Orlando, with the Girls Scouts of Citrus Council, on the Board of the Orange County Regional History Center, and as a member of the Orange County League of Women Voters.
Community Activist
When Karen’s mother ran for the US Senate in 2004, Karen stepped up to manage the Central Florida campaign. She fought political gerrymandering by volunteering as part of the Fair Districts Constitutional Amendment campaign. Karen stood with SEIU health care workers when they went on strike after being denied their own health care. She is a member of the Orange County Democratic Black Caucus and shares their vision for increased representation and political empowerment.
Education
Karen has a Bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Her two children attended Orange County Public Schools and now proudly attend UCF and Rollins.
