Women of Wheaton

MARGET HAMILTON

Marget D. Hamilton was the first woman elected to Wheaton’s City Council in 1961 and eight years later, she became Wheaton’s first female mayor. She served for two years as mayor before serving 20+ yrs as Director for College of DuPage’s Older Adult Institute.  She retired at age 93.

She was once quoted “If you are afraid, you will never accomplish anything”; her accomplishments are a testament to her fearless drive: Founding the Wheaton Chapter of the League of Women Voters, pushing to change Wheaton’s form of government to a council-manager form, preserving the old Chicago, Aurora & Elgin railroad right of way for future use as the Illinois Prairie Path, first comprehensive housing ordinance barring racial discrimination in home purchases making Wheaton the first community in Illinois to approve such a law, forming the DuPage County’s first chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. She passed away at the age of 104.

Credit: Chicago Tribune 11/26/19 Marget Hamilton Obituary, Daily Herald 7/12/10 Margy Hamilton Shares Stories from Her Active Career in Politics

AMY LAFIDO

Amy is a District 200 graduate and teacher, community member, and parent who is committed to supporting young children reach their greatest potential.  Currently, she is a reading specialist at Hubble Middle School, but has previously worked at Lowell Elementary and at Pleasant Hill Elementary.

Her commitment to the district and students extends beyond the classroom. Last spring, she organized a program, Army of Angels, which was originally developed to support some of Hubble’s neediest families during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but continues to provide its families with food, Christmas Sharing, and other necessary items, such as appliances, car repairs, etc. Additionally, she serves on the board of the Turning Wheels Foundation which supports children with early intervention therapy. She is very thankful for these moments of connecting with those whom she can support most and share her life passions.

Amy resides in Wheaton with her husband, Mike, and their three children, Anthony, Vince and Gianna.   

GLENNETTE TILLEY TURNER

Glennette is an author, historian and educator.  The Underground Railroad has been the focus of her historical research, particularly in Illinois.  Upon the recommendation of IL Senator Paul Simon, she served on the nine-member Underground Railroad Advisory Committee of the National Park Service where she testified before the U.S. Senate and House and the Illinois Senate in support of UGRR legislation. Although best known for her Underground Railroad work, she has also written several children’s books.  

She’s received numerous awards throughout her career including: Wilbur H. Siebert Award for “Outstanding Contributions to the Field of the Underground Railroad”,Studs Terkel from the City of Wheaton, The Alice Browning Award of the International Black Writers Conference, Excellence in Education Award by the NAACP Youth Committee, Outstanding Woman Educator of DuPage County by the YWCA and received a commendation from the Illinois State Legislature upon retirement. 

ELLE WITHALL

Elle is the Executive Director of the Downtown Wheaton Association, which oversees 120+ businesses in the central business district and works to make downtown Wheaton a vibrant destination.

Having been in the position for only two months when COVID-19 hit, Withall and her team worked quickly to pivot the downtown business community by creating the Wheaton To Go Facebook group which now has 6800+ followers, developing and overseeing the Hale Street tents and, as of recent, the newly added Nights of Lights in Adams Park.

She is currently completing her CECD certification, the highest designation in Economic Development, from Oklahoma University. Recently she was featured in the Daily Herald for her business recruitment efforts of four new retail spots in the downtown, Neighborhood Tourist Magazine for her creative efforts of the Hale Street tents and was nominated for the Daily Herald Annual Awards for Business Excellence. 

MORGAN BAINBRIDGE

Morgan Bainbridge is the Marketing & Events Manager at the Downtown Wheaton Association (DWA), which oversees 120+ businesses in the central business district and works to make downtown Wheaton a vibrant destination.

Since joining the DWA in 2017, she has held increasing responsibility for overseeing the office and staff, planning and executing member and community events, marketing communications including social media management, developing relationships and assisting with researching and securing tools to make the office more effective.
She previously held positions in marketing management with public companies where she executed marketing strategy and campaigns, communications, events and sponsorships, branding and advertising.

Morgan is a member of the Main Street America organization. 

SUZANNE LUCHS

In June of 2018, Suzanne Luchs read an article about families being separated at the border. She posted an anguished message on The Wheaton Moms’ Facebook page, convinced that together, those 6000+ women could surely do something to help. The overwhelming response prompted her to create the grassroots FB group “6000 Moms.”

The group provides comprehensive, holistic care to immigrant families seeking asylum. Members work in teams to offer housing, food, transportation, clothing, legal help, and most importantly, community and friendship.

Suzanne has lived in Wheaton for 40 years. She is the mom of two beautiful daughters adopted from China, and a former school teacher who now works in the medical field. Next to managing the daily operations of 6000 Moms, she is devoted to her three adopted sibling kitties.

The group is on the brink of becoming a 501(c)(3). Find them on Facebook by searching for “6000Moms.”

ANJALI BHARADWA 

Anjali was born and raised in the Chicago Northwest Suburbs with her parents who immigrated from India.  She works as a Project Manager for a small consulting company but has been involved in the community in big and small ways.  She has volunteered for class parties and multicultural days, and has served on the PTA .  She also runs a local non-profit group, Kids for Peace, and is  Co-President for the Women in Technology Chicago Chapter.  Most recently she created the group Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council for CUSD 200 (DEI200) to ensure every child has a sense of belonging.  Since the group’s launch, she has created a community presence with over 500 followers on social media and has worked to have a DEI200 liaison for each PTA across the district.  The group is credited with the creation of the successful “Talking About Race” series. 

Anjali lives in Wheaton with her husband and 3 children. 

JUDGE BONNIE M. WHEATON

Judge Bonnie M. Wheaton is the senior judge in the 18th Circuit.  She graduated magna cum laude and first in her class of ~230 students from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1978.  She then went on to practice at Wylie & Mulherin in Wheaton handling general litigation matters before her associate judge appointment in 1988.   She sought a position on the bench because of her courtroom experience and was assigned to the chancery division in 1991. 

Although Judge Wheaton is the senior judge in the 18th Circuit, she has no present plans to retire.  She enjoys the intellectual challenge of hearing new and complex cases every day, and believes that her extensive experience is an asset in addressing novel legal issues.  

Until his death in 1994, she was married to Ralph L. Wheaton III, great-great grandson of Jesse Wheaton, founder of the City of Wheaton.  She has two adult children and three teen-age grandchildren.

MARGARET ADAMS DUNTON

Margaret was an educator and historian best remembered as the first Curator/Director of the DuPage County Historical Museum. She was born in Wheaton in 1897 and attended Whittier Elementary and Wheaton High School. Margaret got her college education at Wheaton College and Eastern Michigan University.  

 Margaret’s interest in history stemmed from growing up hearing stories from her grandmother Sophia Lambe, who was an early settler of Warrenville. In 1962, she became the president of the DuPage County Historical Society and led the Society to secure funding to purchase the Adams Memorial Library building in 1965 to use as a Museum. Under Margaret’s direction, the Society collected artifacts, developed exhibits, and renovated the building, and the DuPage County Historical Museum opened in 1967. She served as the Curator/Director of the Museum until 1979 and died in 1990 at the age of 92.
- Source: DuPage County Historical Museum 

MARY LUBKO

As the first senior citizen director at the Wheaton Park District, Mary Ann Lubko worked to keep the western suburb's senior citizens active. Under Lubko's leadership, the district created many activities aimed at senior citizens, including special sports programs. She was the first woman admitted to membership in the Kiwanis Club of Wheaton, which honored her in 1985 with the group's first Citizen of the Year Award.  Mary Lubko also was awarded a Human Services Award from the Marian Park housing community in Wheaton in 1983.

Her motto was, 'Wheaton has been a great place to grow up, let's make it a better place to retire,'" Even after retiring from the park district in 1992, Lubko remained active visiting older folks in nursing homes or those who were in their homes alone.   Mary Lubko passed away at the age of 87.
- Source: Chicago Tribune 12/15/15 Mary Ann Lubko Obituary

TANYA EGLER 

Tanya Egler is a talented vocalist who was born in Cleveland, OH but has worked at Wheaton College for over 30 yrs.  Having two singing parents, her earliest memories are traveling and singing with her family.  She shared her passion for music with her family as she and her late husband raised 3 children while speaking and singing locally and abroad.  All 3 children also use their gifts in the music industry today.  The Eglers have enjoyed combining their musical talents over the last 30 yrs. They have shared their expertise as workshop facilitators, and toured both nationally and internationally.  Her experience includes the titles of Soloist, Vocal Coach, Music Workshop Clinician, and Director of the Wheaton College Gospel Choir.  She has had the opportunity to make appearances on television and sing, produce, and write music on several recordings. Her greatest joy in life is to sing and inspire others through music.  

SERGEANT ANGELA SMITH

Sergeant Angela Smith has served the Wheaton community for 22 years. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Loyola University of Chicago, where she graduated magna cum laude. She has never regretted her decision to enter policing where she believes she has made a positive impact.

In 2018, she became the second woman to achieve the rank of sergeant in Wheaton Police Department history. She is a state and nationally certified reconstructionist. Currently, she is the Commander for the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigations Team (MERIT) Major Crash Reconstruction Team, where she oversees the investigations of fatal crashes throughout DuPage County. 

She has a special interest in helping persons with mental illness. In 2008, she had an article published in The Police Journal, “The Challenge of Responding to People with Mental Illness:  Police Officer Training and Special Programmes.” She continues to seek ways to help those in crisis.

MARGARET MORTENSEN LANDON

Margaret was an author best remembered for her novel Anna and the King of Siam (1944).  Her account of Anna Leonowens, the English teacher to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the 1860’s, has been translated into 37+ languages and inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I and three motion pictures. 

Landon’s parents moved to Wheaton in 1923. After her graduation from Wheaton College in 1925, she and her husband spent 10 years as missionaries in Thailand which is where she learned about the British governess Anna Leonowens.  She returned to Wheaton in 1937 and began research for her book. Now living in Washington, D.C., Margaret finished her book in July 1943, only hours before her youngest was born.  Anna and the King of Siam was published in 1944 and became a best-seller.  As a result, the Western world gained a better understanding of Eastern culture and society.  

Source: 32 Wheaton Notables, their stories and where they lived by Mary Anne Phemister; Encyclopedia.com - Landon, Margaret Dorothea Mortenson

AN HA

An Ha is a 19 year old first generation Vietnamese American woman who has always felt compelled to speak out against racial inequities. During her time at Wheaton North she helped form a student led equity panel. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students gathered to speak on behalf of their experiences with racism and homophobia at North. Teachers and Faculty gathered to listen and learn about their stories. Once graduating high school, she spoke at two Black Lives Matter protests in Wheaton and led one of the marches. She is also one of the youngest members of the District 200 Equity task force. Now she is working on co-writing a chapter titled “ What Color is My Voice “ for a textbook.  In the future she hopes to teach first or second grade. Working towards equity in education will always be her lifetime goal.  

SHELBY HOPPIS

Shelby was on the honor roll/ high honor roll her entire high school career.  She was chosen by a local American Legion post to attend Girl’s State at Eastern Illinois University, and also chosen to attend a leadership academy.  She was very involved in her high school: managed the high school volleyball team for four years, was a member of the student council and class president for three years, participated in the academic bowl, and went to state for a math competition,graduated with honors and as a member of the National honor society.  She was honored by the Illinois Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is currently a US Navy Recruit stationed in Pensacola, Florida to study information systems for the Naval Reserves.  Her ultimate goal is to attend college, become a Pharmacist and continue her Military service.