Mrs. Nelson is the President of the National Federation of Music Clubs. She has been a member of the NFMC Board of Directors since 2003.  She was the First Vice President from 2007-2011,  North Central Region VP from 2005-2007 and ND Federation president from 1997-2001.   Carolyn is a member of the  AAUW,  Fargo Roundtable, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers and First United Methodist Church.   She is the past-chair of The Consensus Council Inc. Board of Directors and was elected to the Board of Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation in 2009.  She also serves on the advisory boards for the NDSU Legislative Caucus and the International Music Camp Board.   She is a life member of the National and ND PTA, the National Federation of Music Clubs, Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity, and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.  

Mrs. Nelson was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1986 and 1992.  She has represented District 21 in the state Senate since 1994.  Senator Nelson served as Senate Assistant Minority Leader from 2007-2011, the first woman senator in state history to hold a senate leadership position.   Previously, she served three terms as caucus chair (whip).   She was named Cass County Democrat of the Year in 2003.   In October 2007, she received the 2007 WiLL Pacesetter Award from Women's Action in New Directions and the Women Legislator's Lobby.  Other recognitions include ND Library Association Legislator of the Year (1998), ND Bar Association Legislative Service Award (2000), ND Student Association Legislator of the Year (2001), Veterans' Coordinating Council Outstanding Legislator (2001) and ND Children's Caucus Voices Award (1995).

Carolyn has been married to Gil Nelson since 1959; they have three children and nine grandchildren.   They also helped raise 2 nephews and a niece who provide 5 more grandchildren.