She wrote poems and helped Chapin write songs for the television show Make a Wish. She helped write lyrics to several of Chapin's songs, including the well-known "Cat's in the Cradle". Chapin wrote several songs about her, including "Shooting Star" and "Sandy."
She accepted Chapin's Congressional Gold Medal and has worked to ensure his charities continued to function after his death. She is chairperson of the charity Long Island Cares and of The Harry Chapin Foundation.