Rachel Boone Keith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rachel Boone Keith
Rachel Boone Keith, from a 1960 newspaper photograph
Born	Rachel Hannah Celestine Boone May 30, 1924 Monrovia, Liberia
Died	January 4, 2007 Detroit, Michigan, USA
Occupation	Physician
Spouse(s)	Damon Keith
Parent(s)	Clinton Caldwell Boone

Rachel Boone Keith was an inspiring American doctor. She was born in Liberia on May 30, 1924. Dr. Keith later moved to the United States and became a respected physician. She passed away on January 4, 2007.

Growing Up and Education

Rachel Hannah Celestine Boone was born in Monrovia, Liberia. Her parents, Clinton Caldwell Boone and Rachel Allen Tharps Boone, were American Baptist medical missionaries. This means they were doctors who also shared their faith.

Rachel grew up in Richmond, Virginia. She finished high school at Armstrong High School in 1938. That same year, she moved to Rhode Island. There, she lived with her aunt, Bessie B. Tharps, who was also a doctor.

Rachel continued her studies, graduating from Houghton College in 1943. She then went on to earn her medical degree. She became a doctor at Boston University School of Medicine in 1949. After medical school, she gained more experience. She trained at Harlem Hospital Center and Coney Island Hospital. In 1951, she moved to Detroit, Michigan.

A Doctor's Career

Dr. Boone began her medical career in Detroit. She worked at Detroit Receiving Hospital for two years. In 1954, she joined the team at Detroit Memorial Hospital.

For many years, Dr. Keith had her own private practice. She specialized in internal medicine. This means she focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating adult diseases. She also served on the Michigan Board of Medicine. This board helps to make sure doctors in Michigan are doing a good job.

Dr. Keith was very active in her community. She was a key member of the Detroit chapter of the NAACP. The NAACP is an important organization that works for civil rights and equality. She was also a prominent member of Detroit's Tabernacle Baptist Church. In 1973, she and her husband, Judge Keith, attended a special art event called Bal Africain. They even had dinner with the Tanzanian ambassador, Paul Bomani.

Family and Lasting Impact

In 1953, Rachel Boone married Damon Keith. He was a lawyer who later became a very famous federal judge. Together, they had three daughters named Cecile, Debbie, and Gilda.

Rachel Boone Keith passed away in 2007 when she was 83 years old. After her death, Congressman John Conyers honored her. He gave a special tribute to her in the Congressional Record. This is a daily record of what happens in the U.S. Congress.

Later that year, she received another honor. The Wayne State University School of Nursing gave her a LifeLine Award. This award was given to her after her death. Her important papers are kept at the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University. They are stored alongside her husband's papers.

To continue her legacy, there is a special fund at the Boston University School of Medicine. It is called the Rachel Boone Keith Prize Fund. This fund helps support African-American women who are studying to become doctors at the school.