Karen Meeker, Women’s History Month, and Moral Injury
Names have significance. For Women’s History Month we want to honor an outstanding Army chaplain named Karen Meeker. We are all familiar with the verse from Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” but what does meekness mean? Why is that a good trait? We often see it as meaning “powerless,” but my pastor defines it as “power under control.” Like most of us, I know that I haven’t always seen it that way, not usually associating meekness with strength or discipline.
A major component of MISNS is the Hariett Tubman Network which cares for morally injured women who are still serving in the military or who have been retired or discharged. Currently Chaplain (Col.) Karen Meeker is its director. Through studying her life and service, I now better understand what power under control means.
Chaplain Meeker is as ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She enjoys serving soldiers and their families through worship, preaching, discipleship, and outreach. She considers it an honor to daily “put on this uniform, the sacred cloth of our nation, and to care for the souls of the Army family…I thank God for all those who have poured into my life” (Stamps, March 23, 2020). Her life epitomizes self-control, discipline, and servant leadership.
Always ready to listen, to learn, and to lead, Colonel Meeker has served in numerous assignments around the world. Her current posting is in the office of The Surgeon General. She holds a Master Parachutist badge and was named Pathfinder School and Officer Honor Graduate at Basic Airborne School in Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia. She is also the first woman chaplain to serve in Special Operations and the first woman jumpmaster. In 2020 she was inducted into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame in recognition of individuals who have made exceptional contributions to women in the Army or the Armed Forces (Stamps, March 23, 2020).
Many women have served and continue to serve our nation through military service, beginning with Molly Pitcher and Deborah Sampson who contributed to the success of the American Revolution. Today more than 181,000 women serve in the Army. They make up 18% of the regular Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve. They serve in every career field, including infantry, armor, and fire support occupations. Female and male soldiers undergo the same training (U S Army Public Affairs, March 11, 2020).
Her work throughout her career and while serving the Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen have exemplified Karen Meeker’s strong discipline and commitment to the well-being of Army personnel and the fulfillment of their mission. She epitomizes “power under control.”
Sources
Stamps, P. (March 23, 2020). Army Women’s Foundation 2020 Hall of Fame inducts three chaplains. https://www.army.mil/article/233852/army_womens_foundation_2020_hall_of_fame_inducts_three_chaplains#:~:text=Donna%20Weddle%. Accessed March 6, 2024.
US Army Public Affairs. (March 11, 2020). U.S. Army celebrates women’s contributions and service. https://www.army.mil/article/233667/us_army_celebrates_womens_contributions_and_service. Accessed March 6, 2024.
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Thank you for your feedback. Glad you enjoyed it.