Karen Sheperd was born on November 12,1961 and is an American actress, martial artist and keynote speaker with an extensive career in film, theatre and television.
13 Facts About Karen Sheperd
1.
2.
Karen Sheperd is considered a martial arts legend and pioneer for advancing recognition for female martial artists worldwide.
3.
Karen Sheperd retired from competition to accept this offer, becoming the first American female martial artist to become an action film star.
4.
Karen Sheperd is known for her character as "The Enforcer" on television's Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
5.
Karen Sheperd has performed on stage in such plays as Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams and In the Boom Boom Room by David Rabe.
6.
Karen Sheperd arranged a meeting with Renardo Barden, the editor of "Karate Illustrated" to see what could be done to help draw more women to compete in martial arts tournaments and to help organize separate ratings for women.
7.
Under Barden's direction, Karen Sheperd organized a petition to establish the title and garnered the support of tournament promoters to begin offering separate forms divisions for female competitors.
Related searches
Tennessee Williams 8.
Karen Sheperd's goal was obtained and Karate Illustrated Magazine established the first official ratings for female forms competitors in 1979.
9.
Karen Sheperd's vision became reality as she saw the number of women competitors increase by double and triple in the following years.
10.
Karen Sheperd was the first woman to ever win the Grand Championship title over all male and female forms competitors at the US Open Battle of the Superstars at the Bayfront Center in St Petersburg, Florida on November 1,1980.
11.
Karen Sheperd's win drew National attention, including a report on the National nightly news.
12.
In 1992 Karen Sheperd was voted the "Most Popular Female Martial Arts Superstar" by readers of Inside Kung Fu Magazine.
13.
In 1997 Karen Sheperd was inducted into the prestigious Black Belt Hall of Fame as "Woman of the Year".