Women of Creighton

Creighton University has a long, rich history of transformative women making a difference, starting with the founding family itself.
Mary Lucretia Creighton
Mary Lucretia (Wareham) Creighton

Long before she left the gift that went on to found the University, Mary Lucretia Creighton would go to the poorest parts of Omaha to give money and household items to those most in need. Her horse (named “Billy”) was known throughout the city. 

Visiting the University (then Creighton College), Sarah Emily Creighton was distressed by the Jesuits’ accommodations. She and her husband made a gift to build them a new residence, erecting a south wing to the main building.  

The Creighton family, including the Wareham sisters, achieved great success in their lifetimes. But today they’re remembered not for what they gained but what they gave

Today, we honor the achievements of these two extraordinary women through an award bearing their name.

Sarah Emily (Wareham) Creighton
Sarah Emily (Wareham) Creighton

Each year, Creighton's Committee on the Status of Women presents the Mary Lucretia and Sarah Emily Creighton Awards to faculty, staff or students who have created an environment supportive of achievement for women, encouraged women in the development of their talents, or have served as a role model of accomplishment for women. 

Creighton also honors women through stories of the talented, compassionate individuals of Creighton who continue Mary Lucretia and Sarah Emily's legacy of living for others today. We will continue to update this page with articles about the extraordinary women shaping Creighton.

Know of a female Creighton student, alumna, faculty or staff member who would make a good story? Contact RachelMabrey@creighton.edu.

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Creighton women: a timeline of firsts

Elizabeth D. Pittman
Elizabeth D. Pittman

1878 — “Mrs. Hall,” becomes one of Creighton’s first faculty members, teaching English in the first year of classes.

1892 — Kate Drake, Creighton’s first female student, enrolls in the new medical school. She was the first woman to be admitted to any Jesuit university in the U.S.

1884 — Dr. C. B. Offersen becomes the School of Medicine’s first female physician.

1898 — Anna Marie Griffith, MD’1898, is the first woman to graduate from Creighton and complete all medical school training.

1901 — Mattie Arthur becomes the first woman on the University’s medical staff.

1908 — Creighton’s first female dental school students graduate.

1913 — Cassie Chancellor, of what was then called the College of Pharmacy, becomes the first known Black woman to graduate from Creighton University

1916 — Bertha Winterton, JD’1916, and Clara Witt Breuer, JD’1916, become the first women to graduate from the School of Law.

1920 — The Heider College of Business (then the College of Commerce, Accounting and Finance) opens, with an initial enrollment of 66 men and eight women.

Eileen Lieben, left, pictured with Maurine Hamiltion.
Creighton's first two Dean of Women: Eileen Lieben, left, with Maurine Hamilton.

1933 — World-renowned aviator Amelia Earhart visits Omaha and expresses interest in Creighton’s School of Medicine. “Are there women in your medical college?” she asked Creightonian reporter Mary Ellen Leary, BA’34. Earhart said she believes “very thoroughly in women following professions, or at least being in touch with the modern world.”

1937 — Olive Odorisio Circo, BA’41, becomes the first female cheerleader at Creighton. She was also one of the first women to attend Creighton as an undergraduate.

1948 — The Hon. Elizabeth D. Pittman, BS’47, JD’48, becomes the first Black woman to graduate from the School of Law. She would go on to be the first Black person and first woman to be appointed as a judge in Nebraska.

1950 — Maurine Hamilton is hired as Dean of Women, making her Creighton’s first female administrator.

1972 — Ann L. Czerwinski, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, becomes the first female President of the University Faculty. She would be followed a decade later in the role by chemistry professor Marcia C. Davies in the College of Arts & Sciences.

1973 — Frances Ryan comes to Creighton in 1973 as the first female professor in the School of Law. The Frances Ryan Scholarship honors her memory as a trailblazer and a champion for diversity.

1973 — Softball becomes Creighton’s first organized women’s sport.

Mary Higgins
Mary Higgins

1974 — Madeline Jacobsen, an Omaha real estate developer and businesswoman, is appointed to the University's Board of Directors, the first female board member.

1982 — Eileen Lieben, MA'62, is named the acting Vice President of Student Personnel, becoming Creighton’s first female VP. Lieben had been at Creighton for 20 years at this point, serving as the University’s Dean of Women and Associate Dean of Students.

Barbara Braden
Barbara Braden

1987 — Mary Higgins, BA’73, becomes the first woman inducted into the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame. As the softball team’s coach, she owned a 564-298 record in 17 years, helping Creighton reach the NCAA's Women's College World Series twice and the AIAW World Series twice. She was also one of Creighton’s first female student-athletes.

1987 — Barbara Braden, PhD, SJN'66, BSN'72, develops a tool that is widely used in hospitals and nursing homes to assess and predict patients' likelihood of developing pressure sores. Her creation — known as the "Braden Scale" — has benefited millions worldwide.

Source: The Creightonian 
 

STORIES OF CREIGHTON WOMEN

Christen Phelps and Emily Belden Bond.

How a Creighton connection saved an alumna’s life

In 2023, a Facebook post from an Iowa meteorologist led alumna Emily Belden Bond to discover she had Stage II breast cancer.

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Four photos of Kiewit Hall through the years

'A turning point for women on campus’

Alumna Pat (Nastali) Alea, BA’67, found a copy of the speech she delivered at Kiewit Hall’s dedication ceremony in 1966. She reflects on that ceremony and the uplifting community of women who enjoyed the residence hall’s early days.

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Three sisters smiling together

A race in all 50 states: Three alumna sisters are approaching the finish line

Three sisters, all Creighton alumnae now in their 70s, have for two decades coordinated their open weekends to travel across the country to race together, make memories and pursue an ambitious goal.

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Liana Chinen with a patient at the MEG machine in the PoWER Lab.

At Creighton, alumna discovered a path to life-changing research

Before her freshman year, Liana Chinen didn’t even know about research as a potential path. Creighton paved the way to that discovery and many more. 

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Cassidy Nipp and Fr. Gillick at the KFC.

Jogging with Jesuits — one unsung benefit of a Creighton education

Every day at Creighton, Cassidy Nipp walked with the Jesuits spiritually. Sometimes she jogged with them. 

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Andrew Lawse with Artemis Tea logo

How an alumna found the right blend

For Andrea Lawse, alumna and CEO of Artemis Tea & Botanical, going from a bachelor’s and master’s in literature to a career as a clinical herbalist/business owner makes more sense when you zoom in to her areas of study.

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Sara Kleven

How Love (and Dentistry) Led Creighton Alumna to Transform a Town

Sara Pilakowski Kleven, DDS’16, took a chance on love 10 years ago. She had no idea she would soon embrace an entire community.

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Michael and Brandy Rea with their children.

Creighton couple’s goal: Serve as many in the special needs community as they can

Inspired by their son, who has profound autism, Michael and Brandy Rea started a foundation that supports nonprofits serving the special needs community.

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Two photos of Creighton's golf coach

For Debbie Conry, the grass is always greener on the fairway

Debbie Conry, BA’77, just finished her 32nd year as the Creighton women’s golf coach. What’s been the secret to her longevity? A love for the game, and the chance to help young people grow. She is the 2025 recipient of Creighton’s Leader for Life Award.

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Three Creighton alums smile together during a volunteer trip in Honduras

The three Creighton alums who met volunteering in Honduras

Three Bluejays. On the same volunteer service trip. A couple thousand miles away from the U.S. They’d never met before and had no idea of their shared connection. Until they saw the Creighton shirt.

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A quarterback drops back to throw a pass

She's the Canadian football legend now teaching on Creighton's campus

Creighton alumna and faculty member Candace Bloomquist, BS’01, is not one to shy away from challenges. In fact, she thrives on them — that’s how she became a women’s football legend in Canada.

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A woman smiles as she sits by a desk

Creighton alumna’s sweaters launched her fashion career — and now they’re in Oprah’s closet

Creighton alumna Rachelle Hruska MacPherson picked up one of her mother-in-law’s old sweaters, etched the word “booyah” on the front and posted a picture of it on Instagram. Now, celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Meryl Streep are wearing her designs.

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A woman waves to the crowd

Creighton alumna Taryn Kloth reflects on the 2024 Olympics: ‘Absolutely spectacular’

Taryn Kloth, Creighton’s first female Olympian, talks about her 2024 summer in Paris — taking a boat ride she’ll never forget, seeing LeBron James and managing failure on her sport’s biggest stage. Oh, and she’s still a huge Bluejay volleyball fan.

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A college of photos featuring Ann Schatz

Alumna sportscaster covered Michael Jordan and Tonya Harding while blazing new trails herself

Ann Schatz, BA’79, was the first female sportscaster in Omaha and Portland and is an award-winning broadcaster. But her trailblazing career began with much uncertainty.

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Images of Cassie Chancellor

Creighton's first Black alumna graduated 30 years earlier than we thought

Class of 1913 Creighton pharmacist Cassie Chancellor was a trailblazer in many ways, and it is high time we told her story.

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Jen Edney at sea.

80,000+ miles at sea: Alumna is one of the world's leading adventure photographers

Few alumni have careers as beautiful or perilous as Jen Edney, BA’05.

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People Magazine photo of Neena Nizar

People magazine features Creighton alumna managing rare disease

Neena Nizar, EDD'18, and her two sons are three of just 30 people in the world diagnosed with a skeletal disease that causes abnormal bone growth. Their story made national news this month.

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Hailey Austin holding comics and with husband Lewis Austin.

Alumna's love of comics and video games leads her to dream job in Scotland

Hailey Austin, BA’16, is, as far as we know, the sole member of Creighton’s Bennett, Colorado --> Omaha, Nebraska --> Dundee, Scotland pipeline.

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Images of St. Cabrini Church

The Creighton family and a grieving mother's gift

Gracing the sanctuary wall of Omaha's oldest Catholic parish is a beautiful testament to the Creighton family's goodness. And grief.

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Image of Eileen Wirth and her new book.

A new history of Omaha (and Creighton) women

Eileen Wirth’s new history of notable Omaha women frequently reads as a history of notable Creighton women, as the stories of the city and the University are inextricably connected.

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Mary Lucretia

The faith, vision, and generosity of Creighton women

“I’ve been known to tell students and fellow alumni that because neither Creighton couple had children who survived past the age of five, we are the descendants of the Creightons and must help live out their legacy." Katie Wadas-Thalken, EdD, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs

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Alumna Danae Mercer

Alumna talks about the Creighton faculty and staff who saved her life

Long before Danae Mercer, BA'09, became a Dubai-based journalist and Instagram influencer promoting body positivity to her 2 million followers, she was a Creighton student in crisis.

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Image of Kathy Martin and Matt Wenz and Annie Townley

Preparing more than 600 Creighton couples for marriage

As coordinator of St. John’s marriage preparation since 2013, Kathy Martin has helped more than 600 Creighton couples get ready to walk down the aisle. Here's what she's learned.

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Joella Cohen

Honoring a legacy, her never-ending gift

The late Creighton alumna Joella Cohen was always digging for the details to find and tell a story.

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Professor Haneman teaches class.

Law professor inspires student through funeral and burial project research

For 3L student Sarah Mielke, the human element and weight of emotions are at the core of life, learning and problem-solving.

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Sarah Synek

Community comes through during crisis

For occupational therapy student Sarah Synek, the support she received during an unprecedented spring semester reaffirmed her faith in the Creighton community and her belief in the Jesuit mission.

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Nelly Nigro, center, with her class of 1945 pharmacy school friends Virginia Driscoll, left, and Alice Appel Duwal.

Pharmacy alumna's gift goes the distance

The success of Nelly Nigro’s life is best measured not in money nor influence but mileage.

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Sue Bon Tiede, DDS’91

Creighton dental grad gets at the root of things

"There’s something that shakes you to your core about the Jesuit tradition. The giving and acceptance and service, it changed my life." — Sue Bon Tiede, DDS’91

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From left: Elizabeth “Lizzie” Erftmier, BA’18; Adelaide Herbert Erftmier, BSPHA’60; and Don Erftmier Jr., BSBA’87, on the day Elizabeth graduated.

Four generations of Bluejays

Shortly before she died in 2018, Adelaide — or “Corky,” as her friends knew her — was able to see her granddaughter graduate from Creighton, making them a four-generation Creighton family.

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