Ready to Fall, Fail, and Most
Importantly Ready to Rise
By Major Kathleen C. Chatara
U.S. Air Force
I am a new Major in the United States
Air Force. More importantly, I am a
Latina, mother, survivor, and a
first-generation American. I was the first in
my family to attend college and graduate
with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree.
As in many Spanish communities, I
was primarily raised with my beloved
grandmother, Mama. I was raised by a
strong character and hardworking
take-no-nonsense women. As the oldest
Latina Letters From the Front
of four, I was expected to take on more
responsibilities than most, helping raise my
younger siblings.
Growing up, I moved from house to house,
with nine different addresses in 10 years, which
made it extremely tough to focus on my early
education. None-the-less, school is where I found
solace and peace, from a loud, charismatic
household. My household was always full of
children, aunts, uncles, and cousins. A home
where the only kids invited to your birthday party
were other cousins and friends that were
somehow “adopted” as our own. Yes, my family,
culture, the Dominican food, the Merengue,
Bachata, and the love always came in
abundance.
The other side of my story is I am a survivor
in more ways than one. Being on my own since
the age of 15 I had several close calls to work
through. I bare a massive scar across my
abdomen as proof. One early morning, I fell down
the stairs and ruptured my spleen. I would spend
all day bleeding internally and finding sleep to be
my only comfort. Past the midnight hour, due to
a fluke, I was taken to the hospital where I was
rushed into surgery. Later, the doctors would tell
me I would have been dead by the morning.
Despite it all, I always found blessings in my life.
In high school, I joined after-school activities. I also
joined the student council, where I held every
position from treasurer to class president. I
volunteered more than 150 hours at retirement
homes, tutoring children, and at homeless shelters.
Major Kathleen C. Chatara, USAF, with her two sons during Major Promotion ceremony
on Friday, July 31st.
As a senior, I was recognized by the Miami
Dade Police Department for all my efforts and
always doing the right thing.
It has been my honor to serve my country
for the last decade. Never in my younger years
would I have thought I would be working in the
Pentagon, doing my part to help shape the
future of the Air Force. I have been in awe to
have witnessed great Americans, powerful
women in action in the Military and at Capitol Hill.
Through hard work, dedication, and an
unwavering attitude, I have had a fantastic profession
thus far. I am thankful to God I can be a role model
for my two boys, my family, and my community. Most
importantly, I am grateful I can be the small minority
to represent girls and women that look and speak
like me.
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would
be: Tough times do not define you, they make you! L Want to comment or have any questions on S
this article? Email us at info@latinastyle.com
44 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle V ol. 26, No. 4, 2020
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