Milestones

Eliza Allen Starr is the first woman to receive the Laetare Medal for her works critiquing, interpreting and publicizing Christian art. Her book, “Three Keys to the Camera della Segnatura of the Vatican” received papal commendation.

Notre Dame establishes a co-educational summer session for religious teachers.

Sister Suzanne Kelly becomes the first woman to join full time University faculty as a Professor in Philosophy and Science.

Graciela Gil Oviarez becomes the first woman and first Latino to graduate from the Notre Dame Law School. She would go on to become the director of the federal Community Services Administration under President Carter.

Dr. Rosemary Park, Vice Chancellor for Education Planning and Programs at UCLA and former President of Barnard College, becomes the first woman Trustee.

On one of the first days of the academic year, Fr. Hesburgh celebrates having women as undergraduate students.

Marianne O’Connor was named Notre Dame’s first female valedictorian. She is now the Executive Director of the Cornea Research Foundation of America.

The Notre Dame Women’s Fencing Team wins its first NCAA Women’s Fencing Title.

Notre Dame Women’s Golf is added to the list of varsity sports.

Future U.S. Olympian and World Cup Champion Shannon Boxx and the Notre Dame Women’s Soccer Team win the first of what would be three NCAA Championships.

Marianne Cusato graduates with a Bachelor’s in Architecture. She would go on to build “Katrina Cottages” to be used in place of FEMA trailers post-Hurricane Katrina earning her the Smithsonian Institute’s Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum’s “People’s Design Award.”

The Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Team wins the 2001 NCAA Championship.

Inaugural Baraka Bouts tournament raises money for the Holy Cross Missions in East Africa.

Katie Washington becomes Notre Dame’s first African American valedictorian.

The North Entrance of the Hesburgh Library is dedicated and blessed in October after the Notre Dame Women’s Initiative makes renovation funding possible.