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This is my story.
I graduated with the first class that included women
at the Air Force Academy, in 1980. As the only
Hispanic woman to graduate that year from any of the
academies, I’ve faced challenges as a woman and as a
Latina (my father is Mexican-American and my mother
is Puerto Rican). So why did I put myself through
that “pain”? I wanted to follow my father’s
footsteps as an AF officer, serve my country,
travel, get the best education possible, and take
advantage of the unique opportunities available,
like flying Cessnas, soaring in gliders, and earning
my free-fall parachute wings.
I love a challenge, so when I was told by my
guidance counselors that I “wasn’t good enough” to
make it into the AFA, I set out to prove them wrong.
I was ranked 25/485 students in my class and was a
member of the National Honor Society, yet they told
me I was “too dumb” to get in. My motto is, “You
tell me I can’t, and I’ll show you I will!”
During my four years at
USAFA, I learned ...
• How to follow orders ... and what it means to be a
leader.
• How to spit shine boots and floors ... and how
that translates into pride in your uniform and in
yourself.
• To limit my vocabulary to “Yes, Sir,” “No, Sir,”
“No Excuse, Sir” ... and the value of the unspoken
word or look.
• That the only barriers in your way are those you
create yourself.
• That the value of an education is not only from
books but also from your experiences, relationships
and lifelong learning.
• About an Honor Code that says, “We will not lie,
steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who
does” ... and that your word, your integrity, is
something no one can ever take away.
• The value of true friendship ... and what it means
to serve others before self.
• That serving your country is not just about
putting on a uniform but about duty, honor, pride,
character, being part of a team, and even personal
sacrifice.
• Since graduation, I’ve learned that the definition
of success is not in the size of your paycheck but
in the opportunities you create for others and the
differences you can make.
• And I’ve learned that when they said, “Just being
an Academy grad will open up doors for you,” they
really meant it.
Four career strategies that
have worked for me:
1. Develop relationships and cultivate networks. You
can’t survive on your skills alone.
2. Practice lifelong learning. Seek to understand
more than just your job; look for ways to improve
things
around you. Develop your business acumen. Seek a
mentor. Be generous with what you learn. Don’t be
afraid to fail — it’s a necessary step to success.
3. Develop your leadership competencies.
Organizations need good leaders at all levels. When
I hire individuals, I look for someone who can
generate excitement; someone who can execute, not
just plan; a creative thinker who can anticipate
needs; someone who can build relationships, take
ownership, align interests and embrace change.
4. Achieve personal clarity. Be curious about
yourself! Understand what brings you more fully
alive, what motivates you. Then, design your life
around those things that matter most. I have learned
the hard way that the better I take care of myself,
the more I can be there for others. And I realize
that the more aware I am of things, the more choices
I have. So, take time for you, and create choices
for yourself!
To Latinas currently serving in the military
academies, thank you for your service to this great
nation. You are our future, and I salute your
dedication and perseverance as you fulfill your
destinies!
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