Women of Action

Our girls lead the way.

Holy Cross girls are role models for other girls. They spur important classroom discussions, govern student council, captain the team, organize spiritual retreats and star on stage. They don’t lead because they want to include it on a college application; they lead because others are naturally drawn to follow them. They lead by example—making others feel valued and providing positive models of teamwork, compassion, and kindness. And when they leave, they have the foundation and motivation to change the world.

Look at them now.

  • Mary Quisenberry Chapin ’51, Conservator of Women's History Award from National Organizations of Women recipient, Outstanding Women Award from YWCA recipient, New York State Woman of Distinction award recipient
  • Jayne Harper Plank ’51, first woman mayor of Kensington, first women elected president of Maryland Municipal League, first woman to serve as Maryland Representative to National League of Cities
  • Sylvia Cole Mackey ’59, co-founder of the John Mackey Fund, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds for research for Frontotemporal Dementias
  • Maureen Kelly Flatley ’66, awarded Congressional Angel in Adoption Award
  • Kathleen O'Brien Walters ’69, Board of Trustees President, Syracuse University; Former Executive Vice President, Consumer Products Group at Georgia-Pacific
  • Nancy Mayer-Whittington ’71, first female clerk of court, United States District Court, District of Columbia, Author - For The Love of Angela
  • Mary Ann Nesline Viverette ’73, first female president, International Association of Chiefs of Police
  • Mary-Beth Buckley Cooper ’78, first female president, Springfield College
  • Suzanne Rich Folsom ’79, Senior vice president and general counsel at Philip Morris International (in Switzerland) and Advisor and Innovator at EqualFuture Corporation
  • Ellen E. McCarthy ’80, president, Noblis NSP; former chief operating officer, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
  • Karen Elsner Davey ’81, named 2013 inaugural Women's Basketball Legends by the Atlantic 10 Conference, first female recipient of full athletic scholarship for basketball at University of Richmond, University of Richmond Hall of Fame recipient
  • Patricia Gillis Cousins ’83, Global officer, Human Resources Business Operations at Marriott International;  Former vice president and assistant general counsel at Marriott International
  • Paula Gwynn Grant ’85, Secretary for Communications at the Archdiocese of Washington
  • Rhonique Shields ’91, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc.
  • Amy Horton-Newell ’92, chief counsel and legal director, Commission on Homelessness and Poverty, American Bar Association
  • Marianne McCabe de Varona ’93, engineer, Applied Physics Lab, Johns Hopkins University
  • Kimberly Peeler-Allen ’94, co-founder of Higher Heights, a national organization building the political power and leadership of Black women from the voting booth to elected office.
  • Maggie O'Neill ’95, Co-Founder of SwatchRoom, Owner of O'Neill Studios, Founder of Superfierce!
  • Kat Goduco ’98, Photographer whose work has been featured in “Art, Beats + Lyrics,” America’s largest urban art exhibition
  • Dominica Groom Williams ’00, Chief Culture, Inclusion and Diversity Office for GUIDEHOUSE
  • Joanna Gonzales ’04, Lieutenant Commander and the Staff Judge Advocate for Naval Special Warfare Group EIGHT.
  • Caitlin Huey-Burns Rodak ’05, CBS Political Reporter; former National Political Reporter at RealClear Politics
  • Hilary Rhoda ’05, Supermodel, Estee Lauder, Sports Illustrated
  • Eileen Whelan ’05, Meteorologist and reporter for ABC7 and host of "Good Morning Washington" in the DC, MD & VA area
  • Monica McNutt ’07, host, reporter, and basketball analyst, ESPN Sports Network
  • Lanay Montgomery ’12, former professional basketball player, Seattle Storm

  • Jillian Dunston ’14, Named a "Thirty Under 30" coach by the WBCA; Coach of the Drexel University Women's Basketball team. 

After college, Holy Cross girls do everything - from protecting the planet as an EPA attorney to being the first female president of a college.

Focus on the future.

Beginning in students’ junior year, our college counselors guide students through the admissions process step-by-step. They help them determine their goals for the future and the best schools to fit each individual girl’s needs. Recent graduates have gone on to thrive at top colleges around the country, such as Cornell, M.I.T., Yale and Notre Dame.

Three times as many alumnae plan to become engineers.

Kat Goduco

Kat Goduco ’98 started her own photography business with the purpose of celebrating expression. Her business, based in Los Angeles and Atlanta, captures intricate moments, energy, and emotion—all while bringing a story to life. Her photography can be seen traveling across the country in “Art, Beats + Lyrics,” America’s largest urban art exhibition; in People magazine, USA Today, and OK magazine; and in photo collaborations with Adidas.

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“Life takes you to a point where you have to make a choice, to exist or to express. I live not to exist, but to express.” – Kat Goduco