Honoring Latina Heroes
By Gloria Romano-Barrera
Leadership, courage, dedication, and
integrity are important qualities in the
workplace. Regardless of rank or branch
in the U.S. Armed Forces, cultivating a life with
these traits in mind has led 13 Latinas to
success. The Latina heroes profiled here are not
only champions and role models for the young
generation to follow, but they are also sacrificing
their lives for our freedom.
Elsa Gudiel
U.S. Army Forces
Command
“I have always wanted to work for the
Department of Defense, Army,” states
Elsa Gudiel, U.S. Army Forces Command.
“At the age of 20, I was actually planning
to join the military however a life-changing
experience happened causing me to
alter my goals. I did not let my setback
deter me. I then decided my goal would
be to one day go work for the Pentagon, as I knew working for the DoD
was another way that I could serve my country.”
Gudiel has distinguished herself by making significant contributions
to her community and the U.S. Army Forces Command, for exceptional
service while serving as a Sexual Assault Response Victim Advocate
for the Headquarters, 11th Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas from
August 2016 through the present. Gudiel has demonstrated profound
compassion while assisting service members, family members, and
civilians; as well as profound leadership initiatives for SARCs and Victim
Advocates. She excelled in managing and coordinating the Sexual
Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program (SHARP) for over
2100 Service Members and DoD Civilians serving within the 11th
Signal Brigade at Fort Hood, TX, Fort Bliss, TX, and Fort Huachuca, AZ.
“The best part of my job is that people trust me,” she shares. “They
trust me with some of the most traumatic events that have happened in
their lives and trust that I can put forth effort to alleviate the turmoil that
they have endured.”
Chief Warrant
Officer Five Sherry
M. Coffey
U.S. Army
With a desire to follow in her
father’s footsteps, Chief Warrant Officer
Five Sherry M. Coffey’s goal was to
overcome the stereotypes of women in
the Army, especially those who worked
in so-called women-friendly professions
in military service such as the nursing and clerical field.
Joining the military at 20-years-old, CW5 Coffey distinguished
herself by making significant contributions to her community, the Army
Reserve, National Guard partners and United States Army Forces
Command. She is an outstanding advocate for diversity, equity, and
inclusion within her organization with strong ties in the Hispanic
community. She is a role model with innovative initiatives that have
helped cultivate an organizational culture that respects and values
differing backgrounds and points of view. CW5 Coffey is an outstanding
leader, an Observer, Coach/Trainer with more than 27 years of service,
whose sage advice to commanders at all levels helped reduce issues
and complaints, enhancing a positive command climate that improved
overall unit readiness. The Army's HRC 'System of Record verified that
CW5 Coffey is the only female Hispanic 915E in the history of the U.S.
Army. CW5 Coffrey is the Army’s first Latina selected and promoted to
the rank of CW5 915E. CW5 Coffrey served two deployments in Iraq,
and one in Afghanistan. She has completed three restricted tours which
include working for the (SATMO) USA Embassy in Quito, Ecuador; Korea
and USA Embassy in Panama City, Panama.
“The most significant part of my career is to know that my presence
in the military is allowing our successors the opportunity to aspire to
succeed and exceed the limits that they may believe will be a barrier,”
she states. “Diversity is the key to success, we all can contribute to
greatness while learning from one another.”
Gunnery Sergeant
Marisol Horta
U.S. Marine Corps
Gunnery Sergeant Marisol Horta
epitomizes the Marine Corps values and
demonstrates superior leadership. She
continuously sets herself above her peers
and sets the example for all Marines. She
is recognized for meritorious service as the
J1 noncommissioned officer in charge
while assigned to special operations joint
task force and administrative chief, while assigned to marine fighter attack
squadron 323, from August 2017 to May 2019.
28 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 25, No. 6, 2019
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