in the 1930s, frank served as president of the muskogee classroom teachers department, later the muskogee classroom teacher's association. in 1934, she became one of the founders of the state classroom teacher's association and by 1936, she was serving as the president of the oklahoma education association (oea), as the first person and woman elected to head the organization. as president, frank began a series of studies to evaluate classroom organization, teacher pay, school revenues, and tenure, though the proposals for change were not approved by the state legislature. frank was elected to serve as vice president of the national education association (nea) in 1942, and though re-elected to the post in 1943, she was fired by the muskogee school board. although frank was never given a specific reason for the termination, it was widely reported that it was for failure to back a specific candidate in a school board election and for her previous agitation for teacher pay guarantees. she took the case to court and was backed by the nea, which raised funds to pay her salary while suspended. she was reinstated in 1945 and returned the unused money collected in her behalf to the nea. the monies were used to establish a fund now called the kate frank/dushane legal services program, as a defense fund for teachers needing help in legal matters concerning their employment. even after her reinstatement, frank continued to fight for improved benefits for teachers, including health insurance and paid sick leave.