Karen Kendra Holmes will be one of twenty speakers and entertainers to hit the stage at TEDxAsburyPark 2018 – Passion on Saturday, May 19th at the Paramount Theatre on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Enjoy an unforgettable and inspiring day as she presents her talk “40 Years & Wandering No More”
Karen works for the Federal Government as a Safety Officer. She was selected in January 2017 by LGBTQ Nation as one of the Top 50 Transgender Americans You Need to Know. In May of 2015, she was honored in a special edition among 41 other women from around the world in The Platform Magazine, for up and inspiring females who have made a difference with their platform and inspired others with their positive values towards others. In April 2014 she received the Willis Greene Community Service Award and the Unsung Hero Award-Team from the Corporation for National & Community Service. In October 2013 she received Soldier of the Year (out of the country), by the State Guard Association of the United States–out of 24 states and 23,000 soldiers. In December 2012 she received NCO Soldier of the Year from the Maryland State Guard Association and The Maryland Defense Force. She was selected in August 2012 by The International Women’s Leadership Association as a Woman of Outstanding Leadership in the Business Owner Division.
She did volunteer work with the Maryland Defense Force under the Maryland National Guards as a Staff Sergeant with Force Protection, the Chaplain’s Unit as a Chaplain’s Assistant, the Honor Guards, and MWR. Karen also does volunteer work with the American Red Cross for the National Capital Region since 2009 on the Disaster Action Team. For several years, she has been volunteering with Community Emergency Response Team (CERTs) in Prince George’s
County, MD. She sits on the board for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Prince George’s County, MD. She is the chapter president of the Transgender Veterans Support Group (TVSG) – Maryland. Before Karen transitioned, she previously volunteered with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Park Police Prince George’s County Division for seven years, five of them as their President, and received several awards for her service, such as two Commander’s Awards and two Volunteer of the Year Awards. In December 2005 she received the Governor’s Crime Prevention Award for her outstanding work and leadership with Park Police Volunteer Association. She has her own business called SafetyFirst DMV and is certified as an instructor through the National Safety Council (NSC). Karen believes wholeheartedly in the importance of giving back to her community.
You can purchase tickets to hear Karen speak at TEDxAsburyPark Passion by clicking here.