"Woman of Distinction" Honored by Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey

Breast cancer and women’s advocate Karen Kunkel was honored at the Suffolk County Legislature by Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey 14th Legislative District’s “Woman of Distinction for the year 2024.”

Since 2016, Kunkel has served as President of the Lindenhurst-based Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, a grass-roots, volunteer-based nonprofit that strives to assist families throughout the Town of Babylon battling breast and gynecological cancer.

Karen has been a member of the Coalition for more than 25 years In 2016, Karen was appointed President by her fellow board members.

Kunkel was instrumental in building a professional partnership with Stony Brook University, which led to the incorporation of a high school research program and a “Be Smart Program,” aimed at raising awareness for cancer for school aged children.

She also oversaw the development of a Vision of Hope Garden at Babylon Town Hall, and developed the Gift of Hope and Inspiration Bag program to provide women diagnosed with breast cancer a kit full of organic, nurturing gifts.

Karen Kunkel was honored as “Woman of Distinction" Facebook.com

Outside of the Coalition, Karen is a marketing professional turned educator. She went back to school to earn her master’s degree in elementary education, which she followed with a rewarding career as a teacher in a first-grade inclusion class.

Karen comes from a family of public servants. Her father was a proud World War II Veteran turned Lawrence Fire Department Lieutenant and Grumman Aerospace professional, and her mother was Head Social Worker at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center.