1980s

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Colonel Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti, USAF

1980

Olga Custodio became the first Hispanic woman pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Linda Garcia Cubero became the first Hispanic woman to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

1984

Michelle Fraley became the first Puerto Rican woman to graduate from the United States Military Academy (West Point).

1985

Colonel Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti became the first Hispanic woman to attain the rank of brigadier (one-star) general in the U.S. Air Force.

1988

Grace Parmelle became the first Asian-Pacific-American woman U.S. Coast Guard warrant officer.