Caritas Veritas Award

Mitzi Battista Witchger, Class of 1966, came to Rosary College from Indianapolis. She is the oldest of seven siblings. Her major was English Literature with a minor in French, and some graduate classes in library science. Over the past six decades, she has had a kaleidoscope of work experience. While in college she was a server and setter, not on the volleyball court, but here in the dining hall.  From wife, parent, educator, librarian, parish volunteer, writer, Chamber of Commerce director, and art museum tour guide, she learned to be an activist and advocate, especially for women and girls. 

Her inspiration came from her two sons and daughter who loved playing sports. She and her husband, Tom, realized that, more often than not, their daughter and her friends had the interest and ultimately the skill, but did not have the same athletic opportunities that their sons had. Mitzi determined she’d work to fix that. 

Learning about the importance of Title IX, the Civil Rights law passed by Congress in 1972, proved to be the entry point to supporting females in their endeavors to become athletes. It states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination, under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”  

While living in Minnesota, she created an organization called GREAT! Girls Really Expect A Team! Advocating for females who wanted equitable athletic opportunities meant speaking Truth to Power, wherever and whenever necessary. It made a difference in support of a school’s athletic programs.  

In fact, the recent Olympics showcased the results of more equity for females in athletic programs at the interscholastic and intercollegiate levels in the United States. 

As an activist even now, Mitzi continues to advocate for sports equity and remained a loyal support of Dominican University having established an endowed scholarship assisting current students with financial needs.