Karen Schwall
Karen Schwall, also known as Karen Schwall-Meyer, was the first female U.S. Army officer in Antarctica, and the first woman to manage McMurdo Station.
Biography
[edit]Karen Schwall was from Crystal Lake, Illinois, and attended the University of Dubuque, where she graduated in 1983.[1][2]
She joined the U.S. Army, serving at Fort Knox.[1] She then served in Korea, where she was promoted to an Army captain.[1][3][4]
In 1988, Schwall served in Antarctica for three years with Naval Support Force Antarctica.[3][4] Then, in 1991, she joined the United States Antarctic Program contractor Antarctic Support Associates, where she worked until 1996.[3][4] She was the first female U.S. Army officer to serve in Antarctica.[3][4] While working on the continent, she specialized in logistics operations.[4]
From October to December 1994, Schwall managed McMurdo Station, becoming the Antarctic base's first female manager.[3] In that period, she joined Ann Peoples and Janet Phillips as the first all-female team leading the three U.S. Antarctic Program stations.[3][5] She returned to manage the station in the over-winter period from February to August 1995, in which time she was promoted to major.[3]
In 1999, Schwall Peak in Staten Island Heights was named in her honor.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "With the colors". The Northwest Herald. 1987-08-06.
- ^ "McHenry student honored". The Herald. 1983-04-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g Phillips, Janet (1999–2000). "Three Women Manage Antarctic Stations". South Pole Station. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ a b c d e f "Schwall Peak". Antarctica NZ. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ Rejcek, Peter (2009-11-13). "Long Time Coming". The Antarctic Sun. Retrieved 2024-07-18.