Meet Karen Topham ’78,’79 MS, first transgender in the U.S. to transition publicly while on the job

Karen Topham was the first transgender teacher to transition on the job. A graduate of Northwestern with a bachelor’s degree in English (1978) and a master’s degree in teaching (1979), Topham has served as an English teacher, writer, public speaker, and continues to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Ms. Topham retired from her job as an English teacher in 2016. During her time as a teacher, she directed more than 36 plays and fostered a greater acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community at Lake Forest High School.

Since retirement, Ms. Topham continues to pursue her passion for theatre and advocacy for transgender people. Ms. Topham is the founder of ChicagoOnState, a website that features local and national theatre reviews.

Ms. Topham continues to address systemic issues affecting transgender and nonbinary actors in theatre as a founding member of the American Theatre Critics Association’s equity, diversity, and inclusion committee. Additionally, she continues to speak to younger transgender people and advocate for the rights of all transgender people.

Related: Meet Karen Topham ’78,’79 MS, First Transgender Teacher in the US to Transition on the Job – Northwestern Alumni