Alumnae Hall of Fame: Women of Vision
Since 1989, Notre Dame Academy has welcomed over 50 inductees into the Alumnae Hall of Fame: Women of Vision. This honor is bestowed on a deserving graduate who has made outstanding contributions to her profession, to her society, to her church, and to the growth of the NDA community through her loyal support and service.
View a list of our past recipients here.
The 2012 recipients are:
Professional Achievement Award: Mary Beth Beazley '75
Christian Service Award: Sr. Mary Rose Bernard Groth '49
Notre Dame Academy Community Award: Susan Pollock Litle '78
This year NDA will recognize three outstanding alumnae: Sr. Mary Rose Bernard Groth ‘49, Mary Beth Beazley ‘75, and Susan (Pollock) Litle ‘78. These women will be inducted on May 15 during the Senior Honors Assembly. A reception will be held at 6:15 p.m. in Alumnae Hall prior to their induction.
In 1985, Sr. Rose Bernard had her first contact with HIV/AIDS. She took it upon herself to educate the people of the province and has since been a pioneer in the battle against HIV/AIDS since the disease first emerged in PNG.
In a nomination letter from Sr. Mary Carol Gregory ‘58, “Sr. Rose Bernard had a deep calling to minister to the people afflicted with the disease…She totally dedicated herself to this mission.”
She developed teaching tools and aids, gave counseling to those affected, and worked hard to ensure that community leaders, families, and individuals had a basic understanding of HIV/AIDS. She founded the Shalom Care Center in 2002 where individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS can visit for a week sharing their experiences, learning about the disease, and receiving pastoral care. It is a place where victims can find hope, love, and care. The governor-general of PNG awarded Sr. Rose Bernard with the insignia of the member of the Order of Logohu for her involvement in the care of HIV/AIDS patients.
“She is truly a woman close to God and to all God’s people in PNG…has lived and carried the spirit of Notre Dame Academy,” shared Sr. Carol.
She has also served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio, editor-in-chief and a member of the Editorial Board of Legal Writing, and has been involved in the American Bar Association.
From a nomination letter written by her sister, Trish (Beazley) Sanders ‘71, “Mary Beth has worked hard nationally in the cause of recognizing the need for more tenure track positions in Legal Writing and Women’s Issues in Law Schools."
Susan (Pollock) Litle ‘78 is receiving the NDA Community Award. This award honors alumnae who have positively impacted the NDA community through their selfless use of their God-given gifts and their devotion of time, talent, and treasure to Notre Dame Academy.
“Sue is fearless when she is involved in something she believes in…will take on tasks that others might be intimidated by,” shared Karen Dulinski Brown ‘71 in her nomination letter.
Mrs. Litle has been heavily involved in NDA and her parish, St. Pius X, for over 30 years. She was president of the Parent Association of NDA (PANDA) for three years, was an NDA Alumnae Association member for several years, volunteered on various committees at NDA, was an NDA athletics boosters member, chairwoman of the freshman and senior sign committee for five years, and a student and parent member of the NDA Hall of Families.
Mrs. Litle’s three daughters graduated from NDA: Katie ‘00, Stephanie ‘02, andJacquelyn ‘09. The nomination letter they wrote for their mother states, “The Notre Dame spirit was one that was invoked on all of us at a very young age as mom would recall countless memories of the best years of her life at NDA…She even keeps NDA sweatshirts on hand so she can give them as gifts to the young girls at our church…in hopes they too will see NDA as the place for them.”
