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SWEA - Swedish Women’s Educational Association International, Inc.
Swedish Woman of the Year is an annual award presented by SWEA International to a Swedish woman who has made an exceptional contribution to promoting Sweden internationally.
The award celebrates the diversity of Swedish women’s achievements and expertise while inspiring a global perspective, personal growth, and empowerment. It encourages women to uplift one another, highlights a wide range of talents and accomplishments, and demonstrates that influence and success can be achieved at any stage of life and under all circumstances. The award honors both prominent public figures and women whose important contributions may be less widely recognized.
The award is presented during a formal ceremony held in conjunction with SWEA Sweden Summer Days each August. The recipient receives a diploma along with a silver piece of jewelry featuring the SWEA symbol.
We are proud to announce that Jessica Meir has been named
Swedish Woman of the Year 2026.
We are proud to announce that Jessica Meir has been named
Swedish Woman of the Year 2026.
SWEA International's press release, May 16, 2026
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir named Swedish Woman of the Year 2026
SWEA International has named astronaut Jessica Meir Swedish Woman of the Year 2026, following a vote by SWEA members around the world. The announcement was made today during a live online meeting with SWEA members, where Jessica participated from the International Space Station (ISS), approximately 400 kilometers above Earth.
Jessica Meir is an astronaut at the NASA Johnson Space Center and commander of Crew-12 on the International Space Station (ISS). She is the first Swedish woman in space and one of Sweden’s most internationally recognized astronauts.
She is currently on her second long-term mission and leads an international team of astronauts conducting research and technology development for future space exploration. This work also contributes new knowledge that is important for life on Earth. Jessica Meir holds both Swedish and American citizenship and is considered the second Swedish citizen in space after Christer Fuglesang.
In 2019, she gained international attention when she, together with fellow astronaut Christina Koch, completed the first all-female spacewalk in history.
Jessica Meir on receiving the honorary award:
"I am humbled and honored to be voted the Swedish Woman of the Year 2026. From my current vantage point at 400 km above Earth here on the International Space Station, one gains a literal global insight, understanding that we humans are truly all in this together on our one shared home planet. I am extremely privileged to have this opportunity, and consider it my duty to broadly promote this perspective. From the other finalists' extraordinary resumes to the captivating SWEA members I've met in recent years, it has also become clear to me that for Swedish women, the sky is certainly not the limit! Tusen tack SWEA!"
Lotta Rigby Fors, President of SWEA International:
“SWEA is extremely proud to appoint Jessica Meir as Swedish Woman of the Year 2026. The fact that she participated in our ceremony live from the International Space Station makes this year’s award completely unique. It says something about both her exceptional mission and the global reach she represents. Jessica Meir is a symbol for what can happen when passion, persistence, and great visions are given space. Her journey inspires people all over the world to dare to dream big and follow their visions, no matter how far away they may seem.”
With her background as a researcher in marine biology and physiology, her leadership, and her ability to inspire new generations, Jessica Meir is an international role model for Sweden and a symbol of Swedish research and international collaboration.
The award will be presented in connection with SWEA Sveriges Sommardagar 2026 in Malmö on August 6, 2026.
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The nominees
The nominees for Swedish Woman of the Year 2026 included four remarkable women: Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank and one of its three most senior operational leaders; Jessica Meir, astronaut at the NASA Johnson Space Center and commander of Crew-12 on the International Space Station (ISS); Kristina Kappelin, journalist, author, and director of the cultural center Villa San Michele in Capri, as well as Sweden’s Honorary Consul in Anacapri; and Tove Ågren, aerospace engineer at NASA Ames Research Center focusing on advanced space technology and development for future Mars missions.
Podcasts with Jessica Meir you don't want to miss
Podcasts with Jessica Meir you don't want to miss
Swedish Woman of the Year historically
Swedish Woman of the Year historically
Over the years, a number of remarkable women have received this prestigious award.
They have been recognized for their inspiring achievements, their dedication, and their ability to make a difference, and their accomplishments have continued to inspire and influence many people both in Sweden and globally.
Explore our previous recipients here.
Criteria
Criteria
SWEA International members around the world nominate candidates. The Swedish Woman of the Year Committee then reviews the nominations and ensures that the criteria are met. A shortlist of four to five finalists is selected. All members are given the opportunity to review information about each finalist and vote for their choice.
The recipient must be a Swedish woman who, in a distinguished way, represents and promotes Sweden internationally.
The deadline for nominations every year is November 30th.
The nomination form must be completed by a SWEA member or a SWEA chapter. Nominations are only accepted this way.
There is no limit to how many candidates a SWEA member or chapter may nominate. The candidate may be a member of SWEA.
The Swedish Woman of the Year Committee reviews and selects the finalists who are presented to the SWEA membership on April 1st.
Since SWEA is a non-political organization, the candidate can not currently have a visible political agenda.
All SWEA members can vote for one of the finalists during the month of April.
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