The goal is to show our students the intersection between their Catholic faith and authentic feminism by highlighting women who were formed in Catholic values and who are making history in the world, both in modern society and in the communion of saints.

We celebrate the unique gifts and talents of our alumnae across a variety of disciplines by featuring IHA graduates who we believe are using their gifts to serve the world, just as the great female saints did. Each featured person is displayed on a board that reads “We love to see women who...,” highlighting their special characteristics and achievements.

The exhibit, to be displayed throughout the month, also ties into IHA’s Day of Giving, which we chose to hold on International Women’s Day this year, March 8, 2022. We honor the women who have been shaped by and built their legacies from the values of IHA. We hope you feel inspired to give back to our school where we empower young women each day; click here to give now.

Featured IHA Alumnae
Alyssa Monks’95, artist and mentor
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to take the risk creativity requires.

Sarah Pagano’09, professional runner
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to push their limits.

Kirsten Calica’07, anesthesiologist
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to do hard things.

Erin Conaton’88, national security consultant
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to advocate for others.

Lisa Fuhrman’05, NBC producer
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to implement new systems and challenge the status quo.

Heather Kennedy Miner’96, partner at Goldman Sachs
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to break the glass ceiling in male-dominated fields.

Lesley Renee Adams’84, partner at Adams and Caughman, LLC
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to challenge barriers and fight for justice.

Kelly Foley DeCongelio’97, high school principal
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to be a different kind of leader.

Jackie Scerbak DeNicola’15, Radio City Rockette
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to pursue their God-given gifts with passion.

Mary Beth Keane’95, novelist
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to use their craft to make other women feel seen.

Karen Tschinkel’07, research and product development for PepsiCo
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to push scientific boundaries.

Featured Female Saints
St. Catherine of Siena, reformer and political activist
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to challenge corrupt systems.

St. Gianna Molla, mother and pediatrician
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to live their vocation and their career with passion.

Servant of God, Dorothy Day, journalist and activist
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to start their own ventures and fight for the dignity of the poor.

St. Zélie Martin, mother and entrepreneur
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to pursue both motherhood and professional success.

St. Joan of Arc, military commander
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to be the only girl in the room.

St. Mary Magdalene, apostle to the apostles
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to take bold risks for their faith.

St. Hildegard, founder of the natural sciences
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to use their intellect to glorify God.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of the first Catholic schools in the U.S.
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to start something new.

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross/Edith Stein, writer, philosopher, and holocaust martyr
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to speak their mind.

St. Catherine of Bologna, writer, artist, and teacher
- We love to see women who…aren’t afraid to pursue their gifts.

A reception to celebrate our alumnae honorees was held at IHA as Women’s History Month came to a close on March 31, 2022. Alumnae guests and their families heard from Mr. Jason Schlereth, president; Miss Kerry Carroll’04, principal; Mrs. Sarah Shutrop, director of formation; and Riley Ypelaar’22, Christian Service Board service president, as they reflected on how IHA women, past and present, are all considered to be Women of Valor Among Us.

Thank you to our graduates who consistently inspire and guide their IHA sisters, and to our current students who continue to strengthen their Catholic values and grow into empowered, confident young women prepared to embrace the world beyond Immaculate Heart.

Click here to see the full photo album of the display and alumnae reception, courtesy of Mike Hamlett Photography and Tara Hopfenspirger.