Karen
About Karen Thompson
Karen Thompson is a professor in the Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Sport Science Department at St. Cloud State University. She is also adjunct faculty in the Human Relations and Multicultural Education Department.
Karen was involved in a precedent setting legal case involving her life partner Sharon Kowalski. She co-authored the book, Why Can’t Sharon Kowalski Come Home? which was published in 1988. She has presented at colleges and universities across the country on homophobia, heterosexism, and ableism. Karen received numerous awards including the Annual Humanitarian Award from the American Psychological Association, a Woman of Courage Award from National Organization for Women, and a Human Rights Award from the Human Rights Campaign.
Karen, Sharon Kowalski, and Patricia Bresser created a family and live together in Central Minnesota.
Awards, Recognitions, and Speaking Credentials
Keynote Addresses: What are the Myths We Live By?; Shattered Dreams: From Pain to Empowerment; Why Can’t Sharon Kowalski Come Home?
Sample speaking engagements:
Television: Phil Donahue Show, Joan Rivers Show, Sally Jesse Raphael, Geraldo, West 57th Street, CBS This Morning, multiple local television shows across the country.
National/State Conferences: American Psychological Association, National Organization for Women, Creating Change, American Medical Association, United States Student Association National Congress, American Bar Association, National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, International Experiential Education Conference, Minnesota College Personnel Association, American Speech Pathologist Association, National Womens Studies Conference, Women and the Law National Conference, Medical Ethics Conference, National Guardianship Conference.
Colleges and Universities: University of Vermont, Penn State University, University of New Hampshire, University of Nebraska, Universities of California, Berkeley and Davis, University of Wisconsin, Iowa State University, William Patterson College, University of Florida, The Ohio State University.
Law Schools: University of Albany, George Washington University, New York University, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota.
Schools of Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Rehab Medicine: Colorado State University, Springfield College, University of Michigan.
Residential Life: University of Texas-San Antonio, University of Maryland-Baltimore, University of California-Santa Barbara, The Ohio State University.
Sample Awards Received: Annual Humanitarian Award from the American Psychological Association, Woman of Distinction from the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, Feminist of the Year from the Feminist Majority Foundation, Woman of Courage and Woman of Power Awards from the National Organization for Women, Human Rights Award from the Human Rights Campaign, Liberty Award from Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.
National/State Marches: Keynote at the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights; speaker at the National Womens March on Washington; Grand Marshall at numerous gay pride events.
Co-author: Why Can’t Sharon Kowalski Come Home? Published by Spinsters/Aunt Lute in 1988. Winner of the Editor’s Choice Award from Lambda Rising.
