Karen Batchelor

Karen Batchelor, formerly Karen Batchelor Farmer, is an American lawyer, community activist, and genealogist. In 1977, she became the first-known African American member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. As a genealogist, she co-founded the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society, which researches and preserves African-American family history. Batchelor is also a member of the Winthrop Society, the Associated Daughters of Early American Witches, the National Society of New England Women, the National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars, and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Early life, family and education Batchelor was born in Detroit to Alice Vivian Dickinson, a schoolteacher, and Thomas Melvin Batchelor, a doctor who was the first African-American on staff, and the first African-American to teach, at Sinai-Grace Hospital. She had ancestors that fought for both the Union Army and the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. In 1966, she graduated from Cass Technical High School.

Career Batchelor practiced as litigator, worked in corporate law, worked as a lobbyist, and represented plaintiffs in a civil rights firm. She is also a certified life coach. Batchelor's admission into the society, as the 623,128th member, was reported by The New York Times, the Detroit Free Press, and over two-hundred other news publications. She appeared on Good Morning America and NBC Nightly News.

In 1979, Batchelor co-founded the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society, which researches and preserves African-American family history. She also served as the National Vice Chair of Lineage Research for African American Patriots and Research.

Personal life Batchelor was married, but later divorced, and has one son.