Dr Karen Menzies (she/her)

First Indigenous Matilda

Dr Karen Menzies played for the Matildas between 1983 and 1989 and is recognised as the first Indigenous Australian on our national team. After retirement, Karen continued to coach while studying to become a social worker. Karen has worked with the Human Rights Commission, the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, and earned a doctorate focusing on Aboriginal Child Protection. 

As a member of the Stolen Generations, Karen works as a lecturer at the University of Newcastle, helping welfare workers and clinicians understand the complexities and impacts of First Nations trauma. Karen is also a member of Football Australia’s first National Indigenous Advisory Group.