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Retired Maj. Gen. Aragon accepts 'Woman of Year'

  • Published
  • By Brandice Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  Retired Oklahoma Air National Guard Maj. Gen. LaRita Aragon is The Journal Record's 2008 Woman of the Year.

Poised, she accepted the "Woman of the Year, 50 Making a Difference" award Sept. 25 before approximately 700 attendees at the 28th annual Woman of the Year banquet, held at the Cox Business Services Convention Center. Presented by The Journal Record, a business newspaper in downtown Oklahoma City, the award recognized one upstanding Oklahoma business and community leader. General Aragon was one of 50 women nominated.

"Thank you, not just for being here tonight, but for the role every one of you plays in mentoring and growing women who will help change the future, not just of America, but of the world," General Aragon said. "Remember that every hand you touch has a consequence."

A native of Dale, Okla., the general completed her Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree at Central State College in Edmond, which has since become the University of Central Oklahoma. She enlisted in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, in 1979, when as a single mother, of two daughters, found it difficult to make ends meet. She enlisted as an airman basic and made history as she rose through ranks.

General Aragon was the first woman brigadier general in the Oklahoma National Guard, and the first woman commander in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. When the general retired in 2007, she was the assistant to the deputy chief of staff of Staff Manpower and Personnel at the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C. These days, the general is the director of Advanced Programs at the University of Oklahoma's College of Continuing Education.

"Rita Aragon has accomplished so much in her career and has always found the time to provide service to the community," said Mary Mélon, publisher of The Journal Record and emcee of the event, in the Sept. 26 issue of The Journal Record. "She epitomizes our 'Woman of the Year' program and we are proud to honor her."