AFN founding member Kathy Bell is the recipient of the 2023 Purple Ribbon Award. This honor, presented by Theresa's Fund, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates DomesticShelters.org, was judged by a national panel of respected professionals from the domestic violence field. Bell received the award in the category of Outstanding Healthcare Professional.

The Purple Ribbon Awards are the first comprehensive awards program honoring the countless heroes of the domestic violence movement, including advocates, programs, shelters, survivors, and members of the community support system. Winners include entries from the United States and Canada.

Each Purple Ribbon Awards-nominated entry was scored by three judges on a 1-25 scale across four factors:

1) Challenge & Impact (the scope of the challenge faced and overcome)

2) Creativity & Originality (the inventiveness of the nominee in their endeavor)

3) Submission Excellence (the caliber of the materials accompanying the entry)

4) Overall (the overall performance of the entry relative to other entries).

Bell recently retired from her position as forensic nursing administrator for the Tulsa, Oklahoma Police Department after 28 years. She continues to be active as an advocate and educator; serves on the Advisory Board for the Academy of Forensic Nursing; and also hosts the AFN's podcast, Bell Work Talks.