[3][4] She welcomed the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) to Grand Rapids in 1899.

[4] She took particular interest in bringing musical performances to disadvantaged audiences, including disabled veterans, prisoners, orphans, factory workers, and residents of the local "poor farm".

[7] Kelsey was president of the National Federal of Music Clubs (NFMC) for two terms, elected in 1907, and re-elected in 1909.

[8] After her active presidency, she attended British meetings of music clubs representing the NFMC.

She died in 1915, in Grand Rapids, five weeks after suffering a stroke in San Francisco,[2] where she was visiting the Panama–Pacific International Exposition with her daughter.