[3] At the college of law, she was the only woman in her class and she earned the Kappa Beta Pi Honor Key.
[3] She started working first as a legal editor for the Commerce Clearing House Association and was about to go into private practice when her son's health prompted a move to El Paso, Texas in 1947.
[1][2] Kern also taught classes part-time at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) for three years until her law practice grew too busy.
[1] Kern was a member and served as president of the El Paso chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
"[10][2] Kern was also a very outspoken feminist and brought issues like rape and women's rights to the forefront of public discussion.
[1][6][13] She also served as vice chair of a shelter for women facing domestic violence, the Transitional Living Center, which she co-founded in 1977.