LATINA Style recently honored four Coast Guard workforce personnel — three members and one civilian professional — for their roles in strengthening the Latina community through outstanding service and leadership, during June 2023 to June 2024.
The organization annually recognizes the accomplishments of women serving in the armed forces to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 to October. 15.
LATINA Style is a company that publishes a magazine, hosts programs, and supports the contemporary Latina professional working women and business owners.
Each award recipient was recognized for their commitment and positive influence in enhancing the role of Hispanic and Latino Americans throughout the Coast Guard. The 2024 winners are:
- Cadet 2nd Class Kayla Villegas-Sanchez, Coast Guard Academy
- Chief Petty Officer Cristina Berrios, Recruiting Office San Diego
- Lt. j.g Marlianne Hudson, Sector Maryland/National Capital Region
- Susana Torres, District 17
Cadet 2nd Class Kayla Villegas-Sanchez
Cadet 2nd Class Kayla Villegas-Sanchez actively contributes to the Coast Guard Academy and the New London communities. Beyond the rigors of her coursework, Villegas-Sanchez dedicates time advocating for underrepresented minorities’ perspectives during her role as president of the Compañeros Cadet Affinity Council.
Understanding the challenges of having learned English as a second language, Villegas-Sanchez started an initiative to get cadets dual-language testing completed ahead of graduation. This way they would enter the fleet ready to serve in sensitive areas where language and communications skills are critical to mission success.
“Kayla Villegas-Sanchez has been a true example to her classmates here at CGA,” said Capt. Eva Van Camp, assistant superintendent at Coast Guard Academy. “She continuously brings credit upon the service and CGA. What’s more, she thoroughly honors the role Hispanic and Latin Americans play within the Coast Guard and the Nation.”
Chief Petty Officer Cristina Berrios
Chief Petty Officer Cristina Berrios has served at the Coast Guard for seventeen years. Throughout her career, she has become a mentor within the Latina community and shares her experiences to encourage Latinas to join the armed services.
In fact, for the last 7 years she works as a recruiter and is now the lead officer recruiter at the Recruiting Office of San Diego. She has empowered applicants from diverse communities to seek opportunities the Coast Guard provides—often driving two hours from the recruiting office to find applicants in predominately Hispanic communities of Southern California. During her tenure, Berrios has submitted more than 150 officer applications, and more than 100 active duty and reserve enlisted applications.
“During a period of historic recruiting challenges, YNC Berrios has proven to be invaluable to the Coast Guard by highlighting opportunities the service offers to underrepresented communities, building relationships with community leaders and influencers, and mentoring the services newest recruits to ensure they are informed, welcomed, and included,” said Capt. Benjamin Keffer, from the National Capital Region Recruiting Command.
Lt. j.g. Marlianne Hudson
Lt. j.g. Marlianne Hudson serves as a marine inspector and Port State Control officer at Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region. From an operational perspective, Hudson is regarded as a “phenomenal” team player. For example, as an inspector she prevented the operation of a small passenger vessel after she identified numerous deficiencies including watertight failures, fire hazards, and lack of required drug and alcohol testing programs.
Beyond her primary duties, Hudson volunteered to become chairman of the unit’s Leadership Advisory Council (LDAC) and Morale Committee. In the role, Hudson led the planning and coordination of six cultural heritage events—some were attended by the commandant who praised Hudson’s initiative and vision. She also planned a multifaceted event where the Baltimore mayor, the Honorable Brandon Scott, gave the keynote address and it was attended by more than 300 employees from six major regional commands. They discussed racial inequality and how to overcome these challenges in our service and society.
“Lt. j.g. Hudson fully embodies our service’s core values and possesses the leadership, professional competence and collaborative skills exhibited by only the very best within our officer corps. I have witnessed first-hand Lt. j.g. Hudson deliver top-notch results across Coast Guard operations, execute high-visibility events for the betterment of the service and deliver on the commandant’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan by helping build and maintain a diverse and inclusive total workforce,” said Capt. David O’Connell, chief of Prevention, Coast Guard Sector Maryland-NCR.
Susana Torres
Susana Torres serves as the District 17 Sexual Assault Response coordinator (SARC), covering Alaska’s offices in Juneau, Anchorage and Kodiak. Both within her role and beyond, Torres works to enhance the experience of Latinas within the Coast Guard. Her leadership in the Hispanic Heritage Month events and in mentorship roles, demonstrate her commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Torres helped raise $2k for a local charity and has been invited as a speaker and mentor for the Juneau’s Women Symposium two years in a row. She also spearheaded 10 Coast Guard Morale and Well-Being and Recreation program events for Hispanic Heritage Month that also provided opportunities for all family members to participate.
In addition, she volunteered 20 hours to raise awareness of Hispanic Americans’ contributions to the Coast Guard and its missions. Additionally, she volunteered to translate for Latino families arriving in Juneau, AK and joined the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Deployed Forces, to support operations in Latino communities across the U.S.
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Civil Rights awards like the LATINA Style Distinguished Military Service Award help to maximize the Coast Guard's overall mission effectiveness through recognition of members' accomplishments and contributions to Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity in minority communities and Partnership in Education (PIE) programs. Please visit Civil Rights awards programs for detailed and nomination information.
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