Skip to main content

Page last updated on May 18, 2022 at 3:48 pm

For more information, please contact

Barbara E. McKinney, Director, Human Rights Commission
human.rights@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3429

Andrew Krebbs, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor
Andrew.krebbs@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3406

 

 

 

Sandra Keller Wins 2022 Human Rights Award

Bloomington, Ind. – The Bloomington Human Rights Commission selected founder and executive director of My Sister’s Closet, Sandy Keller, as the recipient of its 2022 Human Rights Award.

The people who nominated Keller for the award note that Keller continually asks herself and her team of volunteers, staff, and interns, “Who else can we help?” One of Keller’s mottos is, “We move women forward through fashion.” Her personal goal is to make sure that people feel better when they leave My Sister’s Closet than they did when they entered. She aims to make each customer feel welcome, to feel part of the community, and to feel they are in a safe place.

Through Keller’s efforts, My Sister’s Closet has partnered with the Exodus Refugee program to help Afghanistan refugees as they settle in Bloomington. She works with refugees to provide them with new clothing, shoes, toiletries, and other essential items. She and her staff created labels for each item, written in the refugees’ native language. 

“My Sister's Closet plays a valuable role in our community,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “Sandy Keller and My Sister’s Closet have helped countless people enter or re-enter the workforce successfully. And they continue to evolve to meet new needs too. Congratulations on a well-deserved recognition.”   

Keller goes out of the way to help women who feel bad about themselves and their bodies, perhaps because of body changes due to health problems or domestic abuse. She and her staff also work closely with transgender women to help with the adjustments they may be facing. 

As the nominators said, “Sandy Keller embodies what a neighbor is all about. For decades, she has gone above and beyond to promote the lives of citizens in and around Bloomington – especially women and their children. She deserves the Human Rights Award for her dedication to Bloomington and its citizens.”

Ryne Shadday, chair of the Bloomington Human Rights Commission, will present the award to Keller during the June 1 meeting of the Bloomington Common Council. The meeting begins at 6:30 at Showers City Hall and can be viewed on Zoom as well. For more information about the meeting visit bloomington.in.gov/council.


Photo by Erin Stephenson and courtesy of Bloom Magazine.