Dr. Mary Holloway Wilhite
1831-1892
Physician and women's rights leader Dr. Mary Wilhite was born and raised in Montgomery County. She graduated from Penn Medical University in Philadelphia in 1856 and opened a practice in Crawfordsville, making her one of the fist trained female physicians in the state. A local philanthropist, she helped found the Montgomery County Orphan's Home in the early 1880s.
A longtime proponent of women's equality, Wilhite helped revive the women's suffrage movement in Indiana after the Civil War. She was integral in founding the Montgomery County Woman Suffrage Association in 1869. Through her writings and speeches, she advocated for equal pay for equal work, increased educational opportunities for women, and full equality under the law.
Erected 2020 by Indiana Historical Bureau and the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County. (Marker Number 54.2020.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Science & Medicine • Women. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location. 40° 2.379′ N, 86° 54.262′ W. Marker is in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in Montgomery County
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wabash College Students who Served in the Civil War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crawfordsville (Indiana) Carnegie Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cradle of Basketball (approx. 0.2 miles away); Montgomery County's Tribute to her Heroic Dead (approx. ¼ mile away); Saint John's Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Howdy Wilcox (approx. 0.3 miles away); Otto Schlemmer Building (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crawfordsville.
Additional keywords. Suffrage; suffragettes
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2021, by Sara Nemtuda of Lafayette, Indiana. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2021, by Sara Nemtuda of Lafayette, Indiana. 3. submitted on November 19, 2023, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
