In 1999, she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from SMU, in recognition for her landmark work in "focusing public attention on the basic issues of equality and justice.
Beginning in 1956 and continuing through 1984, Castleberry held the position of women's editor for the Dallas Times Herald's Living section.
Her work became known for its objective views of North Texas culture; as she gained notoriety for exposing cultural taboos, she was met with resistance by other editors at the Times Herald:"She recalled that an editor approached her in a hallway and asked what happened to the 'little girl' they had hired who had 'really believed in God, country, motherhood and apple pie."
[7] Additionally, she is noted for having been a trailblazer in balancing personal and professional female life, as she continued to work (after initial leaves of absence) after each of her children's births.
[9] In 1988, she chaired an international women's conference, Global Peace, an event which drew 2,000 participants from 37 states and 57 countries.