Women's Leadership Awards Luncheon

A Girl Scout alumna and trailblazer, Salinas is a role model to girls and women seeking to break through the glass ceiling. She commanded at every level in Corps, from lieutenant to general, serving as the first woman in multiple assignments that included commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego/Western Recruiting Region, assistant chief of staff for plans and policy of a major combatant organization, and command of a recruiting district. Her many military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the latter of which she received upon retirement.

Salinas’ accolades extend past her military experience, including the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Women’s International Center’s Living Legacy Award, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Latinas in Service Award. She was named a Top Latino Leader by the National Diversity Council and a Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce Woman of Distinction. She has been inducted into the U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame, Hispanic Women in Leadership Hall of Fame, and the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame. She is a recipient of the NCAA Legacy Award, the American Latino Influencer Valor Award, and the American Spirit Award Medallion from the National WWII Museum. She has received the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Tribute to Women Business Leaders Hope Award, as well as the San Antonio Business Journal Women’s Leadership Award. Salinas has been named one of 15 Phenomenal Women by Latina Magazine and one of six Power Latinas by 

Vivala.com.

A graduate of the Masters Leadership Program San Antonio, she is a member of Excel Beyond the Bell, Up Partnership, the National Association of Women’s Business Owners, and The Nonprofit Council. She serves on the Southwest Research Institute Advisory Trustees, the San Antonio Area Foundation-Women and Girls Development Fund, the Advisory Council for the American Latino Veterans Association, and on the Board of Directors for GPM Life, Blues Skies of Texas, Young Marines, and the Lift Fund.

A native of Alice, Texas, she holds a master’s degree from the Naval War College and a bachelor’s degree from Dominican University of California. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Dominican University in 2015 and named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2016.