Today, the U.S. Embassy honored as its 2022 Woman of the Year Belize Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Alma Pinelo – a champion for women’s equality in Belize’s Armed Forces. Since LCDR Pinelo is currently in Taiwan for training, the award was accepted on her behalf by her mother Jennie Staines. Chief Petty Officer Kerstin Dickerson, the Chief Operations Coordinator from the U.S. Embassy Security Cooperation Office presented the award on the U.S. Embassy’s behalf.

Throughout her career, LCDR Pinelo has sought to empower women as equal partners in Belize’s security forces. LCDR Pinelo helped launch Belize’s first Women, Peace and Security Agenda to increase Belizean women’s roles in national security and to eliminate sexism, prejudice, and discrimination. LCDR Pinelo also plays a key role in the ongoing development of a Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Program in the security forces.

LCDR Pinelo is an unwavering champion for security and equality in her country. She is an inspiration for women in security in Belize and around the world.

We are proud to share this video message from the U.S. Embassy’s 2022 Outstanding Woman of the Year honoree Belize Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Alma Pinelo, who is presently in Taiwan attending the Navy Command and General Staff College.

Thank you, LCDR Pinelo for your strong advocacy for women, peace, and security, and for your pioneering work in creating equitable opportunities for female security force members in Belize.