SWEA International has named astronaut Jessica Meir as Sweden Woman of the Year 2026, selected by SWEA members around the world. The announcement was made today during a live online meeting with SWEA members, where Jessica joined from the International Space Station (ISS), roughly 400 kilometers above Earth.
Jessica Meir is an astronaut at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and commander of Crew-12 aboard the International Space Station. She is the first Swedish woman in space and one of the most internationally recognized Swedish astronauts.
Currently on her second long-duration mission, Meir leads an international crew focused on research and technology development that will enable future space exploration. Their work also generates knowledge with direct benefits for life on Earth. Meir holds both Swedish and American citizenship and is the second Swedish citizen to travel to space after Christer Fuglesang.
In 2019 she gained global attention when, together with fellow astronaut Christina Koch, she performed the first-ever spacewalk conducted solely by women.
Jessica Meir on receiving the honor:
“I am honored and grateful to have been voted Sweden Woman of the Year 2026. From my current position, 400 kilometers above Earth on the International Space Station, you literally gain a global perspective and an awareness that we humans truly share this one planet. I feel privileged to have this opportunity and consider it my duty to share this viewpoint as widely as possible. Meeting the other finalists with their extraordinary achievements and the inspiring SWEA members I have encountered in recent years has made it clear to me that the sky is not the limit for Swedish women. Thank you so much, SWEA!”
Lotta Rigby Fors, Chairperson of SWEA International:
“SWEA is immensely proud to name Jessica Meir Sweden Woman of the Year 2026. That she participated live from the International Space Station makes this year’s honor truly unique. It speaks both to her exceptional mission and the global reach she represents. Jessica Meir symbolizes what can happen when passion, persistence, and bold vision are given room to grow. Her journey inspires people worldwide to dare to dream big and pursue their visions, no matter how distant they may seem.”
With a background in marine biology and physiology, strong leadership, and a talent for inspiring younger generations, Jessica Meir is an international role model tied to Sweden and a symbol of Swedish research and international cooperation.
The award will be presented during SWEA Sweden’s Summer Days in Malmö on August 6, 2026.
Background
Nominees for Sweden Woman of the Year 2026 included four remarkable women: Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank and one of the organization’s top operational leaders; Jessica Meir, astronaut at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and commander of Crew-12 on the ISS; Kristina Kappelin, journalist, author, CEO and curator of the cultural center Villa San Michele on Capri and Sweden’s honorary consul in Anacapri; and Tove Ågren, a space engineer at NASA Ames Research Center specializing in advanced space technologies and future Mars mission development.
Sweden Woman of the Year is SWEA International’s highest honor and has been awarded to 35 women since the prize began in 1989. Recipients are chosen for representing Sweden abroad through their work or expertise. One criterion is that the honoree distinctly promotes and highlights contemporary Sweden internationally, generating interest and strengthening Sweden’s reputation. The award aims to showcase the breadth of women’s achievements and skills, inspire development regardless of life situation, and recognize both well-known and lesser-known Swedish women.
SWEA International is a global network for Swedish-speaking women who live or have lived abroad. With about 5,700 members across 67 chapters worldwide, SWEA is the largest non-profit organization promoting Sweden outside the country. Each year SWEA awards scholarships and grants totaling over two million Swedish kronor.