SECRETARY RITA ARAGON
Major General Rita Aragon is the first female and the 4th Oklahoma Secretary of Military and Veterans' Affairs. She is the liaison to the Governor for all Oklahoma military and veterans' issues. She participates and facilitates of the five military installations in the state. She is tasked to develop programs that support current military and veterans individually and in total.
General Aragon served as the first female commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, the first female to command a state's Air National Guard and the first female of the Native American Ancestry to become a general officer.
She serves on the Boards of Integris Health Edmond, Pros for Vets, Folds of Honor Foundation, Women's Foundation of Oklahoma, Women and Genders Studies for University of Oklahoma, and Star Base. She is the Senior Military Advisory for the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, and has served on the American Red Cross and Girl Scouts, Juliette Lowe Leadership Society. Her community involvement spans participation in YWCA Purple Sash, Edmond Fine Arts, Go Red for Women for American Heart Association, and the White House Commission on Military Leadership Diversity and the Oklahoma Bar Association's Military Task Force.
The General's Awards include Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices, Air Force Commendation, Army Commendation, Global War on Terrorism, Humanitarian Service Medal and others. Aragon has been recognized as Oklahoma's Woman of the Year by Journal Record, Oklahoma Woman Veteran of the Year, Leadership Fellow Oklahoma Christian University, Leadership Resident University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond Hall of Fame, Valley Forge Freedom Award, and Diversity Journal's 100 Women in American to Watch.
General Aragon served as the first female commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, the first female to command a state's Air National Guard and the first female of the Native American Ancestry to become a general officer.
She serves on the Boards of Integris Health Edmond, Pros for Vets, Folds of Honor Foundation, Women's Foundation of Oklahoma, Women and Genders Studies for University of Oklahoma, and Star Base. She is the Senior Military Advisory for the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, and has served on the American Red Cross and Girl Scouts, Juliette Lowe Leadership Society. Her community involvement spans participation in YWCA Purple Sash, Edmond Fine Arts, Go Red for Women for American Heart Association, and the White House Commission on Military Leadership Diversity and the Oklahoma Bar Association's Military Task Force.
The General's Awards include Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices, Air Force Commendation, Army Commendation, Global War on Terrorism, Humanitarian Service Medal and others. Aragon has been recognized as Oklahoma's Woman of the Year by Journal Record, Oklahoma Woman Veteran of the Year, Leadership Fellow Oklahoma Christian University, Leadership Resident University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond Hall of Fame, Valley Forge Freedom Award, and Diversity Journal's 100 Women in American to Watch.
