Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Aquino.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a Female combat veteran. I received a Combat Action Ribbon and a Navy Achievement Medal for my efforts to financially empower women in Afghanistan. I was part of a Female Engagement Team. We were a group of culturally trained women working in conjunction with infantry units on the front lines. Currently, I advocate on behalf of veterans everywhere, especially female veterans. We are the invisible veterans that many times are forgotten.
Earlier this month I was in Washington D.C. working with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America on Capital Hill. We spent a lot of time working with senators and representatives to ensure they are aware of veteran concerns. The areas we are working to address are:
1. VA Reform
2. Mental health and Suicide awareness
3. Burn pits
4. Women Veterans
5 Defend the G.I. Bill
6 Cannabis for Vets (which ask the VA to do research on the efficacy of cannabis)
Has it been a smooth road?
My advocacy is a one women show. I don’t have any help at the moment. So the networking, outreach and fundraising is all done by me. Basically I’m trying to establish connections between local, state and federal agencies so that they can work more cohesively to help veterans. In addition, I teach veterans how to effectively advocate on their own behalf. It’s tough when you are building something from scratch. I think that has been the toughest challenge in getting people to believe in an “idea”. The idea is that we can do better for all people in our community.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a veteran advocate at both the local and national level. I am known for speaking out about veterans issues and helping people find much needed resources. I am known for always going out of my way to help my community. I’m proud of the fact that even though my active duty service in the military has ended, I am still serving my community. Being a public servant runs in my family. I am a fourth-generation veteran. My family has a history of serving our country starting with World War I.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The thing I love most about Houston is that it’s a city for Dreamers. Its a city where you can build something from nothing. There’s a reason we call Houston “Hustle-Town” and thats because Houstonians are just hard workers. We’re all working towards a common goal and that’s to make our lives better.
The thing that least like about our city is all the Traffic. But you just gotta deal with it. It’s part of living in this great city.
Contact Info:
- Email: paquino@ymail.com
- Instagram: @la_Dona_htx
- Facebook: Patricia Olivares
- Twitter: @isitjustme79
Image Credit:
Adek Berry/Carlos Aquino
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