Carlow College created the Women of Spirit program in 1993 to focus attention on the accomplishments of women who are leaders in their fields and who exemplify the College's mission to render competent and compassionate service in their personal and professional lives.

A nationally-known story-teller, Kimmel is the author of Magic in the Mist, co-author with Elizabeth Segel of For Reading Out Loud! A Guide to Sharing Books With Children, and edited with Mark Collins a book of essays about Mr. Rogers. She is editor of a series of children's books, Golden Triangle Books, set in the western Pennsylvania region and published by the University of Pittsburgh Press.

Dr. Kimmel has served as president of the Association of Library Service for Children (a division of the American Library Association), as chair of the board of Beginning with Books, and as a consultant to Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. She is one of 12 term trustees for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, where a scholarship has been established in her name. She was also named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania in October 2000. This award honors outstanding woman for their leadership and contributions to the state. Professor Kimmel was awarded the Chancellor's Distinguished Service Award in 1996 and was recognized as a "Real Pittsburgher" by Pittsburgh Magazine in 1992.