Welcome to the Ladies of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College, an organization which is entering its 89th year! Our mission is to assist and serve as a connection for women affiliated with Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Whether you have relocated to the South Bend area, are here temporarily for a graduate program, going through a change-in-life circumstance, or just looking to meet some interesting people, we are here for you – nurturing community through friendship.
As President for the 2022/23 academic year, I am looking forward to returning to a post pandemic life. We will have many opportunities for members to enjoy activities together and strengthen bonds within our community. This group has always been a strong support network for its members, and the community through good and bad times.
Some of the most incredible things the Michiana area has to offer are wonderful parks and opportunities for hiking and biking. Wellfield and Fernwood gardens are worthy of visits throughout the year. There are many farmers markets where healthy local food can be purchased. Lake Michigan is a vast resource for short and long trips to explore beaches, charming towns, dunes and really delicious ice cream! There are numerous creative outlets with classes available in both South Bend and Elkhart. Both cities also have excellent museums. And lucky for me, there are quite a lot of quilt shops!
University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College are a wealth of opportunities for cultural entertainment including the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, the Snite Museum as well as numerous special events and speakers at all schools. Walks around the campuses and the lakes are popular as well as the many great sports teams!
Our group also supports the greater community with a variety of volunteer and charitable opportunities.
For my husband and I (and our cats), moving here from the Washington D.C. area in 2016 was a joy! Even on football weekends, the traffic is relatively delightful, along with the friendly Midwestern attitude. My husband, Bahram Moasser, is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Notre Dame. I have previously worked in high finance and animal rescue, understandably, an unusual combination. Currently my interests lie in quilting and the study of nature among many other curiosities.
If you are interested in joining, please send an email to lndsmc1934@gmail.com
Marcie Benjamin
LND/SMC President 2022/23