ALCOAST 337/24 - AUG 2024 LATINA STYLE HONORS FOUR COAST GUARD MEMBERS
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/29/2024 02:36 PM EDTR 291740Z AUG 24 MID600117585597U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 337/24
SSIC 5350
SUBJ: LATINA STYLE HONORS FOUR COAST GUARD MEMBERS
1. The Coast Guard is proud to announce the 2024 LATINA Style
Distinguished Military Service Award recipients:
a. YNC Cristina Berrios, Alternate Recruiter-in-Charge,
Recruiting Office San Diego
b. LTJG Marlianne Hudson, Inspections/Prevention, Sector
Maryland/National Capital Region
c. Mrs. Susana Torres, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
(SARC), District 17
d. Cadet Second Class (2/c) Kayla Villegas-Sanchez,
Coast Guard Academy
2. This recognition honors women in the military and civilian
workforce across the DoD and Coast Guard, including cadets from
military academies, who have influenced and enhanced the role of
Latinas and Hispanic Americans throughout their respective
organizations during the performance period of June 2023 to
June 2024.
3. YNC Berrios is a driving force in Coast Guard recruitment,
leading the San Diego Recruiting Office to become one of the top
performers in the Service in FY24. As the Alternate Recruiter-in
-Charge, Berrios traveled throughout Southern California,
particularly to Hispanic and Latin American communities, to build
relationships and mentor new and prospective recruits, many of
whom were inspired to consider military careers in the Coast Guard.
Berrios is the Coast Guard Enlisted Representative for the National
Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO) and is also a founding
member and co-chair of the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI)
chapters in San Diego and Puerto Rico.
4. LTJG Hudson strives to foster a sense of belonging and promote
acceptance in the Coast Guard, evident through the positive impact
she had as Chair of her unit's Leadership Diversity Advisory Council
(LDAC) and Morale Committee. Hudson led the planning of six major
cultural observance events which sparked meaningful discussion and
celebrated the social and cultural diversity found within our
workforce. She also significantly improved workplace quality of life
by modernizing the nursing mother's program and initiating extensive
lactation room renovations. Hudson was dedicated to supporting the
Coast Guard's recruiting goals, and served as a representative to
Bowie State University, a historically black university, where she
optimized recruiting efforts and provided valuable mentorship for
prospective officer candidates to attract a diverse workforce that
is more reflective of our nation's populace.
5. As a SARC, Mrs. Susana Torres conducts critical interviews with
sexual assault victims, ensuring support and care across District
17. She has significantly increased the talent and diversity of the
Volunteer Victim Advocates (VVA), with 29% now identifying as
Hispanic/Latin American. Her commitment to community is further
highlighted by her involvement with DHS's Ready Deployed Forces,
supporting U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and
Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) operations in Hispanic and Latin
American communities across the United States.
6. Cadet Second Class (2/c) Villegas-Sanchez is the current
President of the CompaƱeros Cadet Affinity Council, where she
advocates for and promotes Hispanic and Latin American culture
within the Coast Guard Academy. In this role, she spearheaded
cross-council events with other Service academies and Connecticut
College to build bridges and relationships. Villegas-Sanchez also
launched an initiative to ensure cadets complete dual-language
testing before graduation, preparing them to be immediately ready
to serve in critical mission areas where dual-language and
communication skills are essential for both safety and
effectiveness.
7. The Coast Guard commends all of the honorees for their deep
commitment to service and their profound impact on the Coast Guard's
Hispanic and Latin American community. LATINA Style will recognize
these exceptional individuals during the National LATINA Style
Symposium Awards Ceremony on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
8. Civil Rights awards help maximize the Coast Guard's overall
mission effectiveness by fostering a discrimination free environment
through recognizing members' accomplishments and contributions to
civil rights, equal opportunity, minority communities, and
Partnership in Education (PIE) programs. Learn more about the
Coast Guard's Civil Rights vision, mission, awards programs and
CG PIE at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Civil-Rights/
9. POC: COMDT (CG-00H), Mr. Patrick Ferraris, 202-372-4525,
Patrick.J.Ferraris@uscg.mil.
10. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Civil Rights Director (CG-00H), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.