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Karen R. Keesling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Karen Ruth Keesling (July 9, 1946 – July 4, 2012[1]) was the United States Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) from 1988 to 1989.

Professional experience

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Keesling was Assistant Dean of Women at the University of Kansas for 1971–72.[2] From 1972 to 1975, Keesling worked in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as executive secretary of the Secretary's Advisory Commission on Rights and Responsibilities of Women.[3] From 1975 to 1977, she was Director of the White House Office of Women. She was then a women's rights analyst in the Library of Congress's Civil Rights Division.[3] She then attended the Georgetown University Law Center, receiving her J.D. in 1981. From 1979 to 1981, she was also a legislative aide of Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum (RKan.)[3]

Karen Keesling in the White House with Patricia Lindh

Work for the Air Force

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In 1981, Keesling joined the United States Department of the Air Force, serving as Deputy for Equal Opportunity and Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, 1981–82; as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower Resources and Military Personnel, 1982–83; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and Installations, 1983–87; and as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Readiness Support, 1987–89.[4]

Reagan administration

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On September 7, 1988, President of the United States Ronald Reagan nominated Keesling to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs).[4] She held this position until 1989.[3]

Department of Labor

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In the early 1990s, she joined the United States Department of Labor, serving as Acting Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division.[5]

Personal life

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Karen R. Keesling was born in Wichita, Kansas, on July 9, 1946.[4] She was educated at Arizona State University, receiving a B.A. in 1968 and an M.A. in 1970.[4] She moved to Sun City, Arizona, in 2000 and practiced law there until her retirement in 2009. She died July 4, 2012, in Sun City.

References

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  1. ^ "Karen Keesling Obituary: View Obituary for Karen Keesling by Sunland Memorial Park & Mortuary, Sun City, AZ". Obits.dignitymemorial.com. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  2. ^ "Profile from Ford Library". Archived from the original on 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  3. ^ a b c d Barbara J. Love, Feminists Who Changed America, 1963–1975 (2006), p. 247
  4. ^ a b c d Nomination of Karen R. Keesling To Be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Sept. 7, 1988
  5. ^ Federal Register
Government offices
Preceded by Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)
1988–1989
Succeeded by