A huge variety of opportunities for women students to build bonds of sisterhood have formed since Notre Dame first admitted women in 1972—from communities in residential halls to classes focusing on women's experience in a variety of fields.

Many women students also take part in the many clubs and organizations on campus exclusively created for women to connect, network, and form friendships that will last a lifetime.

To celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month, we're highlighting a few of the many opportunities available just for Notre Dame women.

Opportunities for Women Interested in Business

Undergraduate Women in Business (UWiB) invites women students from all areas of academics to connect with mentors and resources to launch careers in business and beyond.

Jennifer Di Capua '27, the club’s internal outreach chair, leads the charge in fostering these connections, building the group’s online presence, and sending newsletters to nearly 1,000 women ND students every week.

Every February, the club hosts its annual conference, where members can meet representatives from companies like Deloitte, Citi (Citibank), Lilly, and more.

Di Capua says, “This event helped me grow more confident in my career journey as I was reminded how powerful these programs are in building connections and becoming more familiar with business industries.”

Other female-focused academic groups at Notre Dame include:

• American Medical Women’s Association
• Association for Women in Science
• Society of Women Engineers
• Student Association for Women in Architecture
• Women in Economics

Club Sports for Athletes and Aspiring Athletes

One of the most popular athletic clubs for women is the Women’s Boxing Club, better known as Baraka Bouts—the largest all-women club at Notre Dame.

Throughout the fall, the club holds practices and club runs leading up to a November tournament, during which members raise money for two Holy Cross Mission schools in East Africa.

Check out the student-produced broadcast of the 2024 bout's final round.

Anna Prest '25, the club’s current president, says, “...[B]eing surrounded by a community of strong, resilient, and passionate women has enabled me to grow my confidence both inside and outside of the boxing ring…Though we might be boxing against each other in the tournament, we are a family at the end of the day.”

Other club sports with all-women teams include:

• Basketball
• Field Hockey
• Ice Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Pom Squad
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Softball
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Girl Gains (weightlifting)

Religious and Spiritual Nourishment

Delight is a non-denominational Christian Bible study for college women that recently established a chapter at Notre Dame.

Each semester, members receive a book from the Delight headquarters in Nashville that uses Scripture to highlight a weekly theme. The group meets weekly to discuss the theme and grow in faith and fellowship.

Outreach Coordinator Anna Schillinger '27 says that Delight has pushed her to grow in faith fluency.

“Sometimes it is difficult to articulate what gifts and challenges God gives you and Delight is a welcoming space for everyone to share, grow, and learn," says Schillinger. “Having a community to grow together by growing closer to God is incredible and I am so grateful for the Delight community!”

Other faith-focused groups include:

• BeLoved, a women’s discernment community
• Magnificat Choir, a liturgical choir
• Ladies of Columbus

Special Interests Abound

This past fall, The Women’s Network (TWN), a national organization for female college students, established a chapter here at Notre Dame.

Through a variety of networking events, panels and other opportunities, the group helps members connect with women leaders, mentors, and students in various industries.

Nina Padanilam '26, the Notre Dame chapter’s first president, says that she has loved “being given a space to talk about difficult topics, including how networking looks different for women or intersectionality in the workplace.”

With a motto of "redefining ambition," the group works to challenge negative connotations around confident women in the workplace.

Padanilam notes that, “The Women's Network is a welcoming, non-competitive, and collaborative community where we work together to help each other.”

Some other special interest groups for women on campus include:

• Feminist ND
• Harmonia A Cappella
• Network of Enlightened Women
• She’s the First
• Smart Women Securities

Learn More:

• Explore Notre Dame's more than 500 student clubs and organizations through the Student Activities Office.
• Discover club sports at Notre Dame.
• Meet Aleah Applin '27 and see how she gets involved on campus.