for some time, she worked as a physical therapist at harlem hospital, and also assisted pregnant women with a natural birthing practice. henderson-holmes later held a number of teaching posts, including positions at marymount college, touro college, eugene lang college, the college of new rochelle, and sarah lawrence college. she became poet-in-residence at the university heights high school, and was appointed assistant professor at syracuse university from 1990 until her death in 2001.