Who are ND’s Female Role Models?
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From the teachers who challenge our potential to the students who redefine leadership, the halls of Notre Dame are walked by exceptional women everyday. But who is it that empowers us to follow this path? We asked our students to highlight the female figures — past and present — who have made a lasting impact on our community.
Often, the people we look up to the most are the people who know us best. For many, the first female role model that comes to mind is the woman who gave us life: our mothers. Tanisha Fitzgerald, Mathematics Department, says, “My mom, Debra Lopez, raised my siblings and me as a single parent and worked incredibly hard to make sure that we had all that we needed. From her, I learned the value of hard work, family and self-care.” Marlene Cohen-Basuino ‘27 shares similar sentiments of resilience regarding her mom: “She was in the Air Force for eight years and was stationed in Panama and Charleston, S.C. She broke her back and neck in my childhood, but persevered through to take care of me and my sister. Although she was in and out of hospitals while I was growing up, she always made sure to make my childhood special and support me in whichever way she could.” Leaving a legacy of love carried on by their children, a mother’s strength and sacrifice is never forgotten.
The women we admire in our circles who serve as our mentors can also serve as personal heroines. Shirley Pham ‘25 says, “I have so much respect for Ms. Rome-Floyd. She’s insanely charismatic, supportive and funny. Her class prepared me so well for the exam, and the way she scheduled out all the content for each class so it ended exactly before the bell was super efficient. I just have a lot of love for her and AP United States History was my favorite class last year!” Rio Funatsu ‘25 says, “I look up to Astrid Dominguez because she has an innate ability to make you feel seen. She was my basketball assistant coach and she was always making sure that my emotional state was where it needed to be for me to succeed during my games.”
Many of us also feel uplifted by those similar in age, whether it be co-workers, peers or friends. Jiani Liao, Modern Language Department, says, “Ms. Riley is my role model! She is a mother of four, an educator and a leader.” Ashley Bridgnell ‘27 says, “I truly admire my best friend, Zoya. She’s not just my best friend — she’s my adventure buddy, my reading partner, and my constant source of inspiration. She’s ridiculously talented, whether it’s her incredible artwork or her skill in fencing, she puts passion into everything she does. But what I admire most about Zoya is her kindness. She listens, understands, and cares in a way that’s so beautiful.”
Quite a few people from our community draw inspiration from the words of wisdom of public figures, particularly women who have made strides in politics. Maya Aning ‘25 says, “I love that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a strong minded woman in a heavily masculine field where they constantly try to tear her down. She’s an amazing role model for women, especially for those in a law field.” Nicholas Teder, Social Studies Department, says “Eleanor Roosevelt inspired Americans during the Great Depression and World War II when the country needed hope to get through the day. Additionally, she has numerous uplifting quotes and mantras that are helpful reminders to try and be the best person I can be. One in particular is ‘Be curious, not judgmental,’ as it calls me to learn from others when hearing new concepts instead of turning away from them, and therefore, helps me build relationships with others and grow as a person.” Sophia Walker ‘25 says, “Michelle Obama has proved in so many ways the power of women and the impact we can have despite our own obstacles or the world’s challenges. She’s such an amazing speaker and always lifts up others with her inspirational attitude and wisdom. Some of my favorite quotes by her are ‘Strong men, men who are truly role models, don’t need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful,’ ‘Don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own,’ and ‘There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.’ ” In a traditionally male-dominated field, these women have broken barriers and continue to empower future generations with their trailblazing achievements.
Women’s History Month may be coming to a close, but here at Notre Dame, honoring the women who have inspired and impacted our journeys will always remain a year-long celebration.
