Meet Mary Keller, A Nun Who Became First Woman In US To Get A PhD

Mary Kenneth Keller, a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, holds a remarkable place in history as the first woman in the United States to earn a PhD in computer science. Her extraordinary achievements demonstrate how barriers of gender, profession, and faith can be transcended to contribute significantly to the world. This is her story.

Early Life and Education

Born on December 17, 1913, in Cleveland, Ohio, as Evelyn Marie Keller, her early life remains a mystery, with even her year of birth debated. She joined the Sisters of Charity in 1932, taking her vows in 1940. An academic at heart, Keller pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (1943) and a Master’s in Mathematics and Physics (1953) from DePaul University. Her educational pursuits set the stage for her pioneering role in computer science.

Contributions to Computer Science: Shaping Accessibility

Keller’s journey into computer science took her through prestigious institutions like the University of Michigan, Purdue, and Dartmouth. At Dartmouth College, despite the male-dominated environment, she contributed to developing the BASIC programming language. BASIC transformed computing by enabling individuals without advanced mathematical training to write code. Her doctoral dissertation, titled “Inductive Inference on Computer Generated Patterns”, focused on algorithms for analytic differentiation in CDC FORTRAN 63, marking her as an icon in computational research.

Founding Clarke College's Computer Science Department

In 1965, after earning her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Keller established the computer science department at Clarke College (now Clarke University) in Iowa. Under her leadership for two decades, the department became popular for integrating computer education into broader learning frameworks. Keller envisioned a future where computers enhanced accessibility to knowledge for people from all walks of life, a reality that has become indispensable in modern education.

Advocacy for Women in Computing

Keller championed the inclusion of women in computing, a field traditionally dominated by men. She co-founded the Association of Small Computer Users in Education (ASCUE), a platform dedicated to promoting technology in education. Her advocacy extended beyond words—through her work, she inspired generations of women to pursue careers in STEM.

Legacy and Recognition

Keller’s enduring legacy is commemorated through initiatives like the Keller Computer Center and Information Services at Clarke University and the Mary Kenneth Keller Computer Science Scholarship. 

Mary Kenneth Keller’s life was one of perseverance, vision, and breaking barriers. As an educator, advocate, and pioneer, she not only expanded the frontiers of computer science but also paved the way for inclusivity and accessibility in education and technology.