Photo By Master Sgt. Caila Arahood | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Fiorella Villanueva, a human resource outsourcing...... read more read more
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SAVANNAH, Ga. — Sometimes where we grow up, along with cultural and societal norms shape the paths we take in life, but there are those who dare to break free from the mold, challenging the expectations placed upon them.
Among these individuals is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Fiorella Villanueva, a human resource outsourcing specialist, assigned to the 165th Force Support Squadron, 165th Airlift Wing, who always sensed that she was destined for more.
Born and raised in the city of Lima, Peru, Villanueva spent her childhood being raised by her grandparents and rooted in the traditions of her Latin American culture.
From a young age, she knew that the aspirations she held transcended some of the expectations shaped by her homeland.
"Since I was little, I always liked the idea of the military," said Villanueva. “But the thing about Latin America is that it is very gender biased.”
In a region surrounded by gender role stereotypes, she felt as if her dreams were stifled and that her career paths were narrow.
“There were many stereotypes about gender equality and those gender roles limited what I could do as a woman in my home country,” said Villanueva. “So if I mentioned that I wanted to be in the military, people didn’t look at it as if it were a good decision.”
At the age of 21, determined to break past societal constraints that threatened her dreams, she left behind her life in Peru and embarked on a new journey by relocating to the United States, a place she believed would make room for her dreams. “When I got to the United States, I saw an array of options and opportunities for me," said Villanueva.
Drawn by the promise of boundless opportunity and a chance to become an American citizen, Villanueva followed her dream of joining the military.
“I decided to become the first female military member in my family," said Villanueva proudly. She said she knew this transition was a pivotal turning point in her life.
"When I first enlisted and I took my oath, every phrase and every sentence I swore on, I meant every word," she said.
Her choice was not just about pursuing a career; it was about earning her place in a new land and giving back to the country she now called home.
“Moving here as an adult, swearing to uphold the Constitution and embracing new principles meant a lot to me,” said Villanueva. “But I was ready, and I am very proud and very thankful that I did."
Serving in the Georgia Air National Guard and moving to the States, was a calling to be more and do more, Villenueva said. It was her way of earning her place in her new country and a way to give back.
Leaving behind what was once familiar, and pledging her allegiance to the country that gave her a sense of purpose, Villanueva's journey is shaped by the power of determination and the essence of the American dream.
“The American dream is to have the opportunity to work for your dreams,” said Villanueva. “It’s to see that you have different options. You have to work hard, it is not free. But if you work hard, you do have the opportunity to go get where you want to be.”
Some of the accomplishments Villanueva said she is most proud of include completing her college degree, building her confidence and building a resume that she is proud of while serving in the United States Air Force.
Though Villanueva’s journey to achieving her dreams came with challenges, she said that she is excited about what’s to come and that there are no longer any limitations standing in her way. “The sky's the limit for me now,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2023 14:02 |
| Story ID: | 454955 |
| Location: | SAVANNAH, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Breaking Barriers and Aiming High: The Inspirational Journey of Staff Sgt. Fiorella Villanueva in Pursuit of the American Dream, by SrA Christa Ross, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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