Dr. Amelia Keller

(12 Jan 1871 – 28 Jan 1943)

Upon opening her practice in 1895, Keller became one of the first women doctors in Indianapolis. She graduated from Indianapolis High School (known today as Shortridge High School) and the Woman’s Medical College of Chicago. She earned her medical degree from the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons in Indianapolis in 1863. Along with practicing medicine, she also was the first woman to teach at the Indiana University Medical School, starting in 1906.

She supported women’s rights, serving as the local Equal Suffrage Society’s first president. Under her leadership, the organization changed their covered area from Indianapolis to statewide and recruited thousands of members. She served as editor of the Citizens League of Indiana’s monthly magazine, The Citizen. She served as the first president of the Woman’s Rotary Club of Indianapolis (1919) and led the organization as it provided financial assistance to women seeking college degrees. She also continued her club work, serving as first vice president of the Indiana Federation of Clubs and president of the Indianapolis Council of Women.