Women's History Month: What It Means to Me

Photo By Alexandria Brimage-Gray | Sgt. Leticia Velez, Suicide Prevention Program Manager Noncommissioned Officer, United States Army Reserve Command, , poses for a photo, as part of the United States Army Reserve Command, Women’s History Month campaign. The month of March is nationally observed as Women's History Month and recognizes the struggles and achievements of women throughout the history of the United States. (Photo by Alexandria Brimage-Gray/United States Army Reserve Command/Released)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

03.16.2018

Story by Alexandria Brimage-Gray 

U.S. Army Reserve Command

“They (people) tend to judge the book by its cover, but they fail to realize that I am pretty mature for my age,” she said. “People underestimate the fact, that my second language is English and by my accent, that I have been to college.”
For her, trying to gain a seat at the table has been a major challenge but it has not stopped her from trying.
“I do not have to get into a fight to let people know that I am here,” said Velez. “You let people know who you are by the work that you do.”
“As for me, my work ethic speaks for itself,” she said with a smile.
Velez believes that this challenge motivates her and constantly serves as a reminder that in the Army, she still has to complete the same job as a man but has to work harder by doubling her effort.
Prior to joining the Army, Velez states that her mother and grandmother were some of the influential women in her personal life.
“My mother worked as a certified nurse but she managed to create an interesting balance between marriage, having three kids and school,” she said. “My grandmother was a teacher but she always made sure that there was food on the table and the children and the house where take care of.”
As she reflects over her military career, she recalls three noncommissioned officers who assisted her in her professional development.
Master Sgt. Anders from basic training and advanced individual training inspired me to keep pushing myself over the limit. Staff Sgt. Ortiz from my home unit in Puerto Rico taught me the importance of being a professional whether in uniform or in civilian clothes, to always be on time and have everything in order so that you can always provide an answer. 1st Sgt. Mitchell taught me to always ask others how they’re doing and the importance of taking care of others, she said.

“Working with these females, I realized that no matter how stressful their day is, they have always demonstrated courage and self-control, they continued to work and move the mission forward,” Velez said. “These females have never met before but they all possess these qualities. I don’t have it all yet but it is something that you gain with experience because you can say it but you have to go through some different experiences to master it .”

• Date Taken: 03.16.2018
• Date Posted: 03.29.2018 09:45
• Story ID: 270934
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US
• Hometown: PUERTO RICO, N, BO