A Women’s History Month Special
100 Years of Empowering Women: A Legacy Carried by Our Alumnae
In 1925, the Dominican Sisters of Peace made a bold decision.
At a time when opportunities for women in higher education were limited, they founded Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut, creating a space where women could learn, lead, and thrive. It was more than the opening of a college. It was the opening of doors to opportunity and change.
A Vision Rooted in Courage
Albertus began as a Catholic women’s college with a clear mission: to educate women not just for careers, but for lives of purpose and leadership. The Sisters believed women belonged in classrooms, laboratories, courtrooms, hospitals, and boardrooms. They believed women’s voices mattered.
For six decades, Albertus remained a women’s college, empowering generations of students to think critically, lead ethically, and serve their communities with confidence. Those early graduates did not just earn degrees, they carried the Albertus mission into the world.
The Women Who Built the Legacy
Over the past century, Albertus alumnae have broken barriers and opened doors for others.
Among them is Ellen Bree Burns ’44,’74 LL.D., who became the first female federal judge in Connecticut; a trailblazer in the legal profession whose career reflected courage, integrity, and perseverance.
We also celebrate Margaret O’Shaughnessy Heckler ’53,’72 LL.D., who served as a U.S. Representative, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. Her leadership on the national and international stage exemplified the far-reaching impact of an Albertus education.
And we honor leaders like President Emerita Julia M. McNamara ’16 D.H.L., whose presidency strengthened and expanded the College while remaining deeply rooted in its founding mission.
These women are only a few examples of the thousands of alumnae who have shaped industries, strengthened communities, and uplifted future generations.
They are educators inspiring young minds, healthcare professionals providing compassionate care, attorneys and judges advancing justice, nonprofit leaders advocating for change, and executives and entrepreneurs leading with purpose.
Each story reflects the courage of the women who founded this institution and the transformative power of an Albertus education.
A Network of Women Lifting Women
Women’s History Month is not only about honoring the past. It is about recognizing the powerful network of Albertus alumnae who continue to mentor, support, and uplift one another. Through alumni events, professional connections, mentorship, and lifelong friendships, our alumnae remain deeply connected to the College and to each other. The legacy is not simply remembered, it is actively sustained.
As we celebrate our Centennial, we honor the women who paved the way and the alumnae who continue to lead boldly in their professions and communities. One hundred years ago, Albertus was founded to educate women. Today, our alumnae ensure that legacy continues. Not only in history books, but in courtrooms, classrooms, boardrooms, and communities around the world.