Karen A. Whitney was born January 28, 1946. She worked at the University at Buffalo for over 30 years, retiring in 2000. Ms. Whitney was both a technical and creative writer. At the University she authored the first and several annual editions of Guide to Majors and Careers and edited materials for the Educational Opportunity Center and for her colleague, Joan Albarella. She wrote poetry, short stories, and articles in the campus newspaper, Thundercurrent. She had her own writing communications company called, Playne Words and Media.

PFC Everett E. Playne was her birth father who was killed in World War II before she was born. Her mother remarried and never told her about her biological father. Her draft book, The Bridge, tells the story of her quest to discover her father. In later years she referred to herself as Karen Whitney Playne and was active in the organization, American World War II Orphans Network (AWON). Ms. Whitney died December 27, 2008.