At an annual gathering to celebrate Women’s History Month, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) honored trailblazing women driving progress in cybersecurity, public safety, and health-conscious innovation.

Held on March 27 at the MWRD’s Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, the lunchtime event, “Women Protecting Women: Strategies for Personal and Internet Security,” brought together leaders, professionals and community members to recognize the vital contributions of women dedicated to protecting others.

This year’s program highlighted the expertise and dedication of women who are making a difference in cybersecurity, personal safety, and health-conscious product innovation. The honorees included:

• The Duggan Sisters (Mary, Annie, and Clare): Entrepreneurs and health advocates, the Duggan Sisters developed lifestinks deodorant and lifestings outdoor protection products after struggling to find safe, effective alternatives. Their journey from personal health struggles to business success was an inspiring testament to resilience and innovation.
• Birute Sonta, Senior IT Security Administrator: A leader in cybersecurity at MWRD, Birute works to safeguard digital infrastructure, ensuring critical data protection and security.
• LaShun Osborn, Senior IT Security Administrator: As a Senior IT Security Administrator, LaShun is instrumental in implementing cybersecurity measures to protect MWRD’s critical systems and data. Her leadership and expertise significantly strengthens the MWRD’s security posture. 
• Divya Rijal, IT Security Analyst: With a strong background in cybersecurity, Divya was committed to enhancing MWRD’s cyber defenses through access management, threat detection, and incident response.
• Dana LoCascio, IT Security Administrator: Dana plays a vital role in ensuring the security of MWRD’s digital infrastructure. With extensive expertise in IT security, she contributes to maintaining a robust and secure environment for the organization.
• MWRD Police Officer Marilyn Cruz: A dedicated public safety professional, Officer Cruz has served with the MWRD Police Department since 2012. As a Field Training Officer and Juvenile Officer, she plays a key role in mentoring fellow officers and ensuring safety within and outside of the organization.

“Today celebrated the achievements of women working to protect women,” said MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn who coordinated and emceed the program. “How great to recognize women in our own agency doing great things, and women beyond our doors, Duggan Sisters, becoming entrepreneurs and leaders in a real niche space.”

The program featured engaging discussions on cybersecurity, personal safety, and empowerment. Attendees heard expert insights from Birute Sonta and Divya Rijal on protecting personal data online, learned about personal care from the Duggan Sisters, and gained valuable safety strategies from Officer Marilyn Cruz. The honorees received awards for their contributions to their respective fields and their commitment to protecting and empowering others.

“The contributions of these remarkable women to cybersecurity, personal safety, and wellness reflect the importance of fostering a culture of protection and empowerment,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Their dedication and leadership serve as an inspiration for all of us to continue creating safer environments both online and in our daily lives.”