Col. Martinson to receive award

Former Red Wing resident and Central High School graduate Col. Wendy Martinson will receive the “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” award from the American Association of University Women, San Antonio, Texas, Branch.

The prestigious award recognizes women who have excelled in traditional male fields. Martinson was nominated for her leadership role as garrison commander of the Fort Sam Houston Army Post in San Antonio where she is in charge of 25,000 employees.

Each year a selection committee of the 150-member San Antonio AAUW Branch researches women in the area and presents the award to two outstanding recipients. The award will be presented in a ceremony Feb. 24.

“I view this award as an honor and an opportunity to let young women see that women have a place in all walks of life,” Martinson said.

Malinda Gaul, the president of the San Antonio Branch which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, said the branch is honored to make this award to Martinson.

The colonel is a career soldier and has received numerous other awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. She has been inducted into the Order of Medical Merit.

She graduated from Mankato State University in 1978 and worked as a social worker before entering active duty in June 1981. She holds master’s degrees from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University in Washington, D.C., and Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.

She is the daughter of Don Martinson, Red Wing, and the late Blanche Martinson.

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