As an institution born in sacrifice by women who journeyed from France in the mid-1800s—one who would become Indiana’s first Saint—to establish an academy in Indiana, it’s no surprise that alumni of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College would go on to change the world.
When searching for “famous women from SMWC,” an array of women will pop up. As Women’s History Month begins, take a moment to reflect and acknowledge some remarkable women of The Woods who participated as a driving force to serve others and effect positive change in the world.
Mary Fendrick Hulman ’1923 (1905-1998) was matriarch of the Hulman Family and Chairman of the board of Hulman & Company, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR. She became known around the world for the saying, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” at the running of the Indianapolis 500. She and her husband, Anton “Tony” Hulman, were prominent philanthropists, donating funds to name Hulman Hall, formerly the science building at SMWC, Hulman Center at Indiana State University and rename Rose Polytechnic Institute to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute.
Ambassador Jean Mary Wilkowski ’41 (1919-2016) made history for women of The Woods and the country as she was the first woman appointed as a United States Ambassador to Africa where she headed the U.S. Embassy in Zaire. She served in postings in Europe, Asia and South America. During her 35-year career, Wilkowski specialized in protecting and promoting U.S. trade and investment interests in such posts as Paris, Milan, Rome, Santiago and Geneva. She also served during a revolution in Bogotá, attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa and the war between El Salvador and Honduras, when she called in U.S. humanitarian aid for 50,000 war-displaced persons. She authored, “Abroad for Her Country: Tales of a Pioneer Woman Ambassador in the U.S. Foreign Service.”
Wilkowski completed a degree in journalism with a minor in French. She was a lifelong learner who earned six honorary degrees, one from The Woods. Ambassador Wilkowski also served as a Trustee at Barry University and SMWC. In 2003, Ambassador Wilkowski was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Diplomatic Service.
Sister Mary Joseph Pomeroy ’1921 was an alumna and faculty member at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and Sister of Providence. She was a great advocate for athletics and physical fitness. Pomeroy was a member of the SMWC basketball team that played in the first recorded women’s intercollegiate basketball game in Indiana history. SMWC beat Normal College, now known as Indiana State University. In memory of Sister Pomeroy’s devotion to the spirit of athletics, all SMWC athletic teams are known as the Pomeroys. The name “Pomeroy” is not something tangible but a spirit of athletic excellence and sportsmanship.
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