The Center for Social Concern in Campus Ministry is pleased to recognize Caroline Fleming, class of 2026, as the 2025 Miryam Award recipient. Caroline, a junior accounting and finance major from Cincinnati, OH, was nominated by her classmate and friend, Madeleine Noone.
The Miryam Award honors those who have made significant contributions in advancing the climate for women here at UD, above and beyond their role, while reflecting the Marianist mission of the university. Caroline has used her skills of creativity to respond to the needs of women in the School of Business, creating spaces of mentorship, growth, and opportunity.
As Caroline was finding her way in the School of Business, she chose to join the Hanley Center for ESG Investing. Through the Hanley Center, students manage the Hanley Sustainability Fund which “aims to outperform the S&P 500 index by investing in companies that are committed to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.” She found herself to be the only female at a recruiting event she went to her first year, and then one of only 4 women in an organization of nearly 50 people.
“Organizations such as Hanley are so important- so much learning and networking happens and it can be the difference between women being in finance or not,” Caroline reflected on what was going through her mind in recognizing the disproportionate gender gap she was facing. It was in this recognition that the Women of Wall Street organization was born.
Madeleine Noone, ‘26, wrote in her nomination: “Caroline has worked hard over the past two years to establish a new organization for females to help educate and empower them with financial knowledge through creating Women of Wall Street… Since the establishment (of WOW) she has worked tirelessly to recruit members, through table hours, creating flyers, digital media, creating a presence on social media, and planning club events. Through these efforts, female participation in various financial organizations on campus has increased…She has worked to connect with various alumni, females in the industry, and other outside women in finance non-profit organizations.”
In two years, the work Caroline and Women of Wall Street has increased female participation in both the Davis Fund and Hanley Fund, providing valuable mentorship and real financing experience for women looking to enter the financial industry after graduation.
Beyond just increasing numbers, Caroline and the Women of Wall Street have created a community of support, where female students can lean on and learn from one another. She is now looking to partner with a national organization, Rock the Street, Wall Street, which currently works with high school students to network girls into finance. The organization is looking to expand to colleges and the University of Dayton will be one of their first partners.
Caroline was recognized for her achievement in winning this award at the Miryam Award Ceremony, on March 25 2025.