Former Bell County Commonwealth’s Attorney Karen Greene Boondell received a surprise honor at last week’s Women in Business Dinner hosted by the Chamber of Commerce as she was presented with a Leadership Award.

“The leadership award we bestow tonight is more than just a symbol of recognition; it is a testament to the unwavering commitment of extraordinary women to drive change, foster collaboration, and inspire excellence in every aspect of their endeavors,” Chamber President Alex Gambrel said before announcing the award. “It is a celebration of their courage to challenge the status quo, their passion to empower others, and their dedication to making a lasting impact on society.”

After graduating from NKU’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law and being licensed to practice law  in 1983, Karen Greene Blondell returned to her home county to establish a private law practice, which she maintained until her election as Bell County Commonwealth’s Attorney in November, 1993. She was one of three of the first women elected as Commonwealth’s Attorneys in the state of Kentucky, a position she held until her retirement in August of 2020.

She became the first woman president of the Kentucky Commonwealth’s Attorneys Association and was twice selected as Outstanding Commonwealth’s Attorney in Kentucky, first by Governor Ben Chandler and later by Governor Andy Beshear. She also served as the Kentucky Delegate to the National District Attorneys Association for many years.

Karen transitioned from a 27-year career as a felony prosecutor to entering Dallas Theological Seminary in September of 2020, from which she will be awarded the Master of Arts in Apologetics and Evangelism degree on May 11, 2024, in Dallas. She has been a member of First Christian Church in Middlesboro for 40 years and has, along with her husband, served in a variety of leadership roles, including teaching a weekly adult Sunday school class.

Last summer, as a representative of A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, Karen led 20 weeks of worship services in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Twice a year, she also organizes a worship service bringing together people from a variety of area churches to promote community worship.