PBS documentary profiles Latina trailblazer Major General Angelina Salinas

Angelina Salinas
Retired Major General
photo courtesy: USMC

The PBS documentary series, "Makers" features women trailblazers in the military. "Women in War" will feature Retired Major General Angela Salinas. She joined the Marine Corps in 1974, and became the highest ranking female officer in the Corps.

Major General Salinas was born in Alice, Texas to Mexican immigrants. She joined the Marines when there were few women let alone Latinas in the Marine Corps.

In this video, Salinas shares what it was like when she first joined, job opportunities, and where women fit in the military. She talks about how when she joined, women had to have a high school diploma but men could get in the Marines with a GED.

Salinas talks about the important role women play in combat, and gives advice to women who want to make the Marine Corps a career.






In 2006, Salinas became the first woman to command Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. In 2006 she also became the first Latina to become a U.S. Marine Corps general officer, and sixth woman in the Marines to reach rank of brigadier general.

Major General Angela Salinas was the highest ranking female officer in the Marines when she retired in 2013.  Watch the "Women in War" documentary. Get empowered by a Latina who followed her passion in life.