When I grew up, the world ­was flat. The center of my world was Pueblo—a melting pot of nationalities in Southern Colorado. A location where it seemed there was no distinction made based on the color of your skin or how much money your family had.

The idea of seeing people for who they are—and not what their race, ethnicity or gender pre-supposes they are—was a critical theme of my upbringing and education. Looking back, I know now my third grade teacher, Lucille Masterantonio taught me more about the world I aspired to live in than I could have ever imagined. Back then, I didn’t know nor care she was not Latina, because I trusted her to mold how I approached the world. She imbued me with a spirit of learning and inspired me to strive to be anything I dreamed of becoming.

In attending the Air Force Academy, I challenged the perception if I ventured outside the city limits I was destined to fail. Instead I set my mind to graduate, become an Air Force intelligence officer and see the world. Obviously I did not fall off the end of the earth, and the Air Force has provided many opportunities for me to serve my country in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea; and today I get to advise the Director of National Intelligence as he executes his roles and responsibilities.



Through all of my growth and adventures, one thing is very clear: I continue to advance not because I am Latina or a woman but because the Air Force focuses on building on my potential and rewarding me for what I do. Sometimes, the road is rocky, as it was for me on my assessment out of intelligence school when my instructor said that “with encouragement� I might become a competent intelligence officer. Oh well, everyone is welcome to their own opinion!

I did not make Brigadier General because I am a Latina, nor did being a Latina hinder me. I was brought up to believe I belonged in any room, no matter who was present. While I never abandoned my Latina roots, I welcomed a whole new world where people did not care where I came from, but one that demanded I prove I was worthy of being there, standing toe-to-toe with anyone!

In my career in intelligence, I have experienced endless possibilities. For instance, when I was recently in Israel, I was amazed at a front outpost where I was introduced to an all-woman crew manning the station. Our male escort was very proud as he pointed out women have a better sense of their surroundings and were the obvious choice to provide indications and warning of anything out of the ordinary. Certainly, intelligence analysis is not what my family—or the friends I grew up with—consider a traditional Latina career, but it is one I love and in which I have the latitude to grow and ever expand my horizons and responsibilities.

As Latinas, we need to wake up and smell the roses. That may sound a little harsh, but we need to build a world where we are judged daily not on our ethnicity or gender but on how we overcome the tough challenges presented to us. We need to do this not only for ourselves, but for our daughters, nieces, and goddaughters.

Am I proud to be a Latina?...hell, yes! I think of my mom— who was not—afforded the opportunities presented to me, and I am glad she instilled in me early the desire to look over the horizon. But for all who read this, I challenge you that your horizon should be broader than mine was 40 plus years ago in third grade. There are no barriers, so long as you look beyond your own horizon and chase your dreams! Do that and you will realize I am right: The world is most definitely not flat!