LaRita A. Aragon was born in Dale, Oklahoma and became the first woman to hold the rank of brigadier general in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and the first female commander of the Air National Guard. After a distinguished career, Gen. Aragon retired and returned to her first career, in education where she serves as Director of Advanced Programs at the University of Oklahoma College of Continuing Education. Of Choctaw descent, er spirit exemplifies her service to her family and her country. Aragon serves on a number of boards and has been recognized many times for her contributions to her community, state and nation. She was named The Journal Record Oklahoma Woman of the Year in 2008.
A Conference at Oklahoma Christian University was held on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 in the Oklahoma City area, and Major General Aragon was the keynote speaker, who gave an outstanding presentation regarding women and self-esteem. It began with a short clip about Wonder Woman, and continued with a speech from General Aragon on the changes over the years regarding women and how much they can actually do, including how good they are at their jobs. On a final note, it was summed up with a video of 4 female soldiers in the Middle East who had discovered some of their fellow soldiers already attacked and ambushed. They had to immediately save their fellow comrades, and in the process, killed 14 of the enemy attackers. Two of these young women soldiers were only 19 years old. To say that I was impressed is not the words to describe, and it brought tears to my eyes. Our thanks must go out to her not only for her presentation, but for taking the stand on what women are truly capable of. This particular Conference was in regard to overcrowded women's prisons in Oklahoma, and it was a very positive educational experience.
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