A native New Yorker, Charlotte has lived in her DuPont Circle condominium since 1989. A bone cancer survivor, she holds two graduate degrees, a masters in teaching and a Juris Doctor. In the 1970s, she taught high school government and civics at Armstrong Adult Ed Center. In the 80’s and 90s, she worked with the US Senate Judiciary Committee as a Congressional research fellow, worked as a political operative and fundraiser for four democratic presidential campaigns, was a lobbyist for the international program at Planned Parenthood, and was public liaison for the Democratic National Committee. In addition to New York City, she has been a resident of Massachusetts, Ohio and California.

In recent years, she has been caregiver for three elderly family members and for one special friend. She has been a member of the National Smart Set, a social club for African American women, for over 40 years, and is a 25-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Xi Omega chapter. She has served as a volunteer board member with the American Red Cross, WPFW-FM Radio, the Pacifica Foundation, and with Girls, Inc. She currently serves on the board of DuPont Circle Village.