ALCOAST 304/18 - AUG 2018 2018 LATINA STYLE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

united states coast guard

R 281034 AUG 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00H//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCOAST 304/18
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: 2018 LATINA STYLE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT
1. I am honored to announce and congratulate Yeoman Second Class (YN2) Rita Martinez
from USCG Base Seattle, WA as the 2018 Latina Style Distinguished Service Award recipient.
This award recognizes excellence of women in the military who through their exemplary
service have enhanced the role of Latinas in the U.S. Coast Guard (CG).
2. YN2 Martinez is cited for superior performance of duty while assigned to Coast Guard
Base Seattle, from August 2017 to July 2018. Embodying the Coast Guard’s Core Values, she
advocated for women and diversity while serving as a deployed support yeoman for Hurricane
Maria, one of the worst natural disasters in recent American history. During this period,
YN2 Martinez relocated 114 Coast Guard family members to Florida, allowing service members
to focus on response efforts knowing that their loved ones were safe. Additionally, she
raised funds and organized delivery of $100,000 in essential medical and hygiene supplies,
toys for children, and solar panels for emergency lighting via “Puerto Rico We Care”, an
organization that provided short and long term essentials to rebuild and restore Puerto
Rican communities. Demonstrating her commitment to diversity, YN2 Martinez served as the
Co-Chair of the Association of Naval Service Officers (ANSO) Seattle Chapter where she
reinvigorated the Chapter organizing professional development training, mentoring
opportunities, and facilitating the enlistment of two Hispanic recruits. YN2 Martinez
further extended her service to the community as she volunteered 60 hours at the Issaquah
Food and Clothing Bank, providing bilingual supports services and packing emergency care
supplies for more than 450 struggling families. Her diligence, perseverance, and devotion
to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the
United States Coast Guard.
3. I commend YN2 Martinez for her outstanding contributions, achievements, and exemplary
service. She will be officially recognized and honored at the 15th Annual National Latina
Style Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital
View Hotel, Arlington, VA.
4. Civil Rights programs help maximize the Coast Guard's overall mission effectiveness by
fostering a discrimination free environment through recognition of members' accomplishments
and contributions to civil rights, equal opportunity, minority communities, and Partnership
in Education (PIE) programs. Learn more about the USCG civil rights vision, mission, awards
programs and CG PIE at: https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Civil-Rights/.
5. POC: Mr. Juan Torres at: juan.l.torres@uscg.mil.
6. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Director, Civil Rights Directorate, sends.
7. Internet release authorized.