Bolen, Stephanie L.
Stephanie L. Bolen was born and raised in Hopkinsville Kentucky. In 1998, she became the first African American to earn a Master of Science degree in Forestry at the University of Kentucky. The title of her master’s thesis is Barriers that Limit Outdoor Recreation Participation for Individuals with Disabilities. She earned ner undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University. After earning her master’s degree, Stephanie L. Bolen was employed in the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management where she collaborated with other federal, and state agencies on the initial management plan for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. After working for the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Stephanie L. Bolen entered law school and earned her Juris Doctorate degree at Valparaiso University. She then obtained her license to practice law in Virginia and began working for the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission.
After working as a public defender, Stephanie L. Bolen opened her law office where she participated in bench trials, jury trials, and motion hearings for civil, traffic and criminal cases. She was also a guardian ad litem (GAL) and represented clients in federal court. Stephanie L. Bolen closed her law office in Virginia, moved back to her hometown, and obtained her license to practice law in Kentucky. In 2019 she became the first African American Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Christian County. Stephanie L. Bolen is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
*The updated information for this entry comes from Stephanie L. Bolen via email 03/05/2021.