Yolanda Medina is an ideal candidate for the Veteran of the Year® or Vetrepreneur® of the Year (VOY) Award due to her unwavering commitment to advocating for veterans, particularly women and Latinx veterans, and her exemplary service and leadership within the community. Recently recognized as the Woman Veteran of the Year by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), Yolanda has demonstrated remarkable dedication to supporting fellow veterans and addressing their unique challenges, including mental health issues.
With a distinguished military background, Yolanda served in the U.S. Navy, where she made history as the first female environmental systems technician to work on the AV8-A Harrier at Naval Air Station Cherry Point. Her pioneering efforts have paved the way for future generations of women in the military, showcasing her trailblazing spirit and commitment to breaking barriers.
As the current director of the Military Veterans Resource Center at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Yolanda actively supports veterans transitioning to civilian life. She has significantly enhanced resources and programs, ensuring veterans receive the support they need to succeed.
Yolanda's community involvement extends beyond her professional role. She was featured in the Department of Veterans Affairs' "I Am Not Invisible" (IANI) exhibit, which highlights her contributions as a woman veteran. In addition, she organized the IANI 3.0 event, celebrating the stories of 48 women veterans and expanding the collection at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.
In recognition of her impactful work, Yolanda received the inaugural Women Veterans of Distinction award from the WDVA in 2019. Her dedication to empowering veterans and enhancing their visibility makes her a deserving candidate for the VOY Award, highlighting her exceptional leadership and commitment to improving the lives of those who have served.
One of the highlights of both my military experience and volunteer work is serving alongside my husband and fellow Marine, Joe Medina. Joe passed away in 2016, but his influence prompted me to join multiple veterans' organizations, creating a Hispanic Veterans memorial foundation, expanding a women veteran's pictorial campaign, and building a career in higher education that supports the needs of military-related students.
Yolanda left college in 1981 to join the Marine Corps with her boyfriend Joe, marrying after boot camp. Yolanda attended boot camp at Parris Island, SC, and trained at the Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, TN as an aircraft environmental system technician. Yolanda was assigned to the Naval Air Station, Cherry Point, NC, and was one of the first females to work on the AV8-A Harrier as an environmental systems technician; air-conditioning, ejection seats, and oxygen systems. After completing their military service, Yolanda and her husband Joe, and their growing family moved back to Wisconsin. Yolanda completed both an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree while working with military-related students in higher education. Yolanda also sits on several military-related boards and councils in the higher education arena and within the community. In 2024, Yolanda received the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Woman Veteran of the Year Award.
