Charlene Taylor began playing basketball in grade school after being encouraged by her third grade teacher to enter a foul-shooting contest. Taking her teacher's advice, Charlene entered the contest and won first place—and that early experience was the start of her love of basketball.

Excelling as point guard for the Beaver Falls High School Girls' Basketball team, Charlene received accolades such as Beaver Falls' Carolyn Clark Sports Award, first team All-Section, conference MVP, PIAA honorable mention, and selection to the Pittsburgh Press' Terrific Twenty list of the top 20 girls' basketball players in Pennsylvania. Over her high school career, Charlene averaged 15 points per game and as a senior in 1985 led her team to a 25-1 record, the WPIAL championship title, and a state PIAA championship title.

Charlene earned a four-year scholarship to the University of New Haven, where she played from 1985 to 1989. Over her career, Charlene scored 17 points per game and amassed 1,853 points, 603 assists, 419 steals, and 458 rebounds. Charlene's basketball awards while at New Haven included being named Kodak All-American in 1989, being named NECC Player of the Year in 1989, being named to the Division II All-Tournament Team in 1987, being selected for the NCAA New England All Region Squad in 1989, being twice named the University of New Haven Female Athlete of the Year, being twice named Kodak All-District, and being thrice selected to the All-NECC First Team.

Charlene's University of New Haven basketball teams won four NECC titles, two Division II New England Regional Championships, and a National Championship. In addition to basketball, Charlene also played shortstop and center field for the University of New Haven softball team and 1st singles and doubles for the University of New Haven tennis team. In recognition of her amazing accomplishments, Charlene was inducted into the University of New Haven Hall of Fame in 1996.

After graduating from the University of New Haven, Charlene worked as an assistant coach for the university from 1990 to 1992 and worked as an assistant basketball coach for University of Quinnipiac and Post College. Charlene was inducted into the Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Charlene resides in Meriden, CT. She retired after 23 years of service as a Connecticut State Trooper and is currently employed by the City of New Haven as a Vendor Enforcement Officer.