Olga Custodio

The first Latina to complete U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training and graduate in the top 5% of her class with a fighter qualification to fly the T-38 as an instructor pilot, Olga E. Custodio has always adhered to key principles that helped her excel in a profession dominated by men: overcoming self-doubt, embracing all possibilities, and viewing herself as an equal to her peers.

Despite initial setbacks during her education at the University of Puerto Rico, where she was denied entry into the Reserve Officer Training Corps program because of gender restrictions at the time, Custodio was undeterred. She successfully pursued her ambition of becoming a commissioned military officer. Over her 24-year career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, she exhibited exemplary leadership and skill. This is exemplified by her receipt of an Aviation Safety Award for superior airmanship during an in-flight engine failure emergency. After her time in active duty, she transitioned to the U.S. Air Force Reserves and became the first Latina pilot at American Airlines, where she eventually earned the rank of Captain. Her aviation expertise spans various aircraft, including the T-41, B-727, F-100, B-757, and B-767, alongside ownership of a Cessna T210L.

Today, with over 11,000 flight hours, Custodio remains an influential figure in aviation and aerospace communities. She is actively involved with several nonprofits, including the Latino Pilots Association and the Women in Aviation Alamo City chapter, focused on motivating students from diverse backgrounds to explore aviation careers. Since 2018, she has moderated female aviation panels at the Experimental Aviation Association's AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. Her commitment to STEM education is evident as she engages as a speaker and mentor at various educational and professional platforms, encouraging young individuals to pursue science and technology fields.

Custodio's contributions have been recognized widely; in 2017, she was inducted into the San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame. She is a co-author of the "Latinas in Aviation" anthology and is featured in the Smithsonian Institution's "Nuestra América," acknowledging her as one of the 30 inspiring Latinas/Latinos who have shaped the United States. In 2022, she was honored with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s STEM Award at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, highlighting her profound impact on the STEM community.

Living in San Antonio, Texas, Custodio enjoys a fulfilling personal life with her husband of over 49 years, Edwin, and their two children, Marcia and Edwin II. Her family continues to be a cornerstone of support and joy in her life. As she shares her journey, Custodio frequently inspires audiences with her mantra, "Querer es poder" (To want to is to be able), underscoring the power of determination in overcoming adversity.