Paula Blankenship, a native of Elkins, West Virginia now lives in Matewan, WV. Paula's current hometown of Matewan has gained notoriety for being the home of the infamous Hatfield & McCoy Feud and the location of the 1920 mine wars know as the Matewan Massacre, which inspired the John Sayles movie MATEWAN. Paula met her husband Keith Blankenship, a Matewan resident, at Marshall University in 1979. Keith and Paula were married in 1983 and started A-A Tire & Parts, Inc., which today includes Radio Shack, U-haul, Auto Value Autoparts, Pro Hardware, and a garden center.

Paula's first exposure to Rotary was in 1999 when she became the first female Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Matewan, as well as, the first female club president of the Matewan club in 2003-2004. Today, Paula enjoys being a member of the Matewan club and has served as club president, club secretary, club treasurer, a multi-year member of the board of directors, the club membership chair, as well as serving on various other committees.

Beyond the club level, Paula was Assistant District Governor from 2006-2009, was co-founder of the West Virginia PETS in 2005, and has served District 7550 as, District Membership Chair (2006-2009), District Trainer (2008-present), District Conference Chair (2003-2004) and many other committees including finance secretary, district assembly chair, strategic planning, etc.

For Zone 33, Paula's appointments have included DG spouses training assistant, class reunion co-chair, Sergeant-at-Arms, and House of Friendship co-chair. Rotary International duties include Sergeant-at-Arms at multiple Rotary International Conventions.

The Rotary Foundation has become a major part of Paula's Rotary interest and she is proud to be an EREY member, a Sustaining member, a Paul Harris Fellow, a Major Donor, a member of a 100% EREY Club for multiple years, a member of a 100% Sustaining members club for multiple years, and a member of a 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club.

Paula's many community activities have included serving on the board of directors of the Magnolia Fair, treasurer for the Magnolia Fair, treasurer of the Matewan Depot Museum & Genealogical Library, business partner with Matewan High School, member of the Hatfield & McCoy Reunion Committee, Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce, member of the IOOF Rebecca's, and treasurer of the Matewan Community Action Team.

Keith and Paula love to travel, spend time at their lake home, riding their Harley Davidson, snow ski, scuba dive, and participate in Rotary functions as an opportunity to meet new friends.