Profiles of Members of EPA's LGBT Community: Karen Kellen
Profiles of Members of EPA's LGBT Community
Where were you born?
Sublette, IL.
What brought you to EPA?
I was clerking at the Missouri Supreme Court after law school and took a course to keep my loans deferred. The course, Missouri’s Natural History, made me think about working for EPA. I applied to the Superfund program and I got a job in Region 3 - Philadelphia.
Describe the type of work you do at EPA.
Until I got fully engaged with the union, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), I was a Superfund enforcement attorney. I worked with a team of EPA professionals who cleaned up contaminated property and held those responsible for the contamination financially liable for the cleanup. I worked on several large sites, including the Kennecott Utah Copper, Midvale Slag and Vasquez Boulevard/I-70/Globeville sites. I also worked on Brownfield and Superfund redevelopment projects. These are efforts to bring contaminated property back into productive use in the community. This was probably the most rewarding work that I did for EPA because you could see a definite positive impact on the community.
I moved to full-time union work in 2013 when I became the co-chair of the National Partnership Council. My current job as President of AFGE Council 238 requires that I work with 14 AFGE locals throughout the country and with EPA management. The union is the exclusive representative of bargaining unit employees. This means that when an employee has a problem with management, we represent them to help resolve the problem or to defend the employee, depending on the circumstances. The union negotiates agreements with management to ensure that the employees’ needs are considered and that we maintain a good working environment for employees. I was elected President of the Council in July 2013, and my term runs until July 2016.
What is your highest level of education? What was your major?
I have a juris doctor degree. For undergrad, I majored in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice.
When did you know you were a member of the LBGT community?
It was a long, gradual process, but I came out to myself and the world after moving to Colorado in 1992. Amendment 2 was on the ballot right after I got here. When it passed, it propelled me to face who I am and not try to hide it. For those youngsters out there, Amendment 2 was a Colorado initiative that prohibited local government from making any laws protecting LGBT people. It eventually went to the US Supreme Court and they struck it down in one of the first favorable decisions that our community ever had with the Supremes.
Not only am I a member of the LBGT community, but I have become an advocate as well. Amendment 2 was a big part of it, but I have always had a strong desire to fight for people’s rights. That is also why I work with the Union.
What message would you like to send other members of the LBGT community who are considering college or a career in environmental protection?
EPA has given me a great career. I have not experienced anti-gay animus in Region 8. Now that we also get benefits for our partners, there is no reason not to work for EPA.