A daughter of a U.S. Army NCO from Puerto Rico, Olga grew up traveling between continents and saw the world before she was 15 years old. Her exposure to several opportunities to fly globally instilled in her a great fascination with airplanes. This sparked her dream to become a pilot. The path to her dream was, however, not a walk in the park. During the process, she faced numerous rejections. While studying at the University of Puerto Rico, she tried to participate in the university’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program but was denied for women were not allowed at that time. Waiting for a long time for a training slot to open up at Officer Training School, a now-or-never moment finally arrived when she was working for the Department of Defense. Olga graduated from Officer Training School and qualified for Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB in Texas. A year later, she graduated from UPT as one of the top in her class.

A female military aviation pioneer, she served for 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. As an instructor pilot, she received an Aviation Safety Award for superior airmanship for her handling of an engine failure in-flight emergency. After transitioning to the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Olga became the first Latina commercial airline pilot for American Airlines and later upgraded to Captain. Besides the T-38, Olga flew the T-41, B-727, F-100, B-757, and B-767.  She owns a Cessna T210L and has also flown several general aviation aircraft like the Stearman biplane, Cessna-172, Beechcraft-35 V-tail, Cirrus Vision Jet, among others.

Today, Olga is retired with over 11,000 flight hours to her name. Now a speaker and community leader, she serves on the board of several nonprofit organizations (Latino Pilots Association, Order of Daedalians, Ninety-Nines, Dee Howard Foundation, and Women in Aviation Alamo City), which advocate for inspiring and empowering students, especially those from underserved communities, to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. Olga supports the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) moderating several female aviation panels during AirVenture at Oshkosh, WI since 2018. During 2022, AirVenture she presented two female panels representing Latinas in the aviation professions. In 1988, the White House established Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and honored Olga as the 35th Hispanic Heritage Foundation – 2022 STEM Award Honoree.

As a STEM advocate, she volunteers her time as a speaker and role model at local schools, universities, corporations, and military base groups, encouraging young women and men to reach for their dreams. Olga is a mentor with the Women in Aviation International, Aviation Explorers, and the School of Aeronautics of the InterAmerican University in Puerto Rico, to mention a few. In 2017, she was inducted into the San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame.

Olga’s memoir, Flightpath of Fortitude: Breaking Barriers, Building Horizons, releases in spring 2025. She also co-authored in the Latinas in Aviation anthology. Olga is included as one of 30 inspiring Latinas/Latinos who have shaped the United States in Nuestra América, published by the Smithsonian Institution. The Pentagon commissioned an artist to paint her portrait to be displayed for the Air Force Hall of Pioneers.

On numerous occasions, both personal and professional, she has displayed her commitment toward success. Dedicated in everything that she does and in anything that she wants to accomplish, and living up to her life’s mantra, “Querer es Poder” or “Where there is a will, there is POWER,” she has upheld perseverance, strong values, and resilient character in achieving whatever goals she set forth for herself. Thus, having successfully fulfilled her dream of becoming a pilot, despite not knowing any female who had ever dared to do so—making history as the first Latina Air Force and American Airlines pilot. This distinction, along with over 40 years of combined experience in military and civilian aviation as well as nonprofit organizations, fully explains her capabilities to support the vision and mission of advocating for STEM and Women in Aviation.

RECOGNITIONS and AWARDS

  • Aviation Safety Award, Air Force HQ Air Education and Training Command 
  • San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame Inductee, First Latina Female Military Air Force Pilot
  • 35th Hispanic Heritage Foundation - 2022 STEM Award Honoree
  • FIRST, Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) 
  • Military aviation pioneer - Smithsonian National Museum of Air and Space in Washington D.C. 
  • Ninety-Nines San Antonio 2024 Pilot of the Year
  • EAA Museum and Programs Supporter Recognition  (EAA Timeless Voices interview video)
  • US Air Force Reserve Officer Association Outstanding IMA of the Year
  • Valor Award – American Latino Influencer Awards
  • CoquiSA Award–Culture, Education, and Community, Sociedad Herencia Puertorriqueña 
  • Puerto Rico Senate–Puerto Rican Female Pilot–Military and American Airlines & Outstanding and Exemplary Citizen 
  • Latina Style Magazine Military Trailblazer Award
  • City of Stockton California, California Legislature, and California Congressional US House of Representatives Recognition
  • California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Inaugural Veterans Award
  • San Antonio HOPE Military Community Leader Honoree
  • LULAC Council Presidential Award
  • and more