Wilmot was recently honored by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with the 2009 Outstanding Woman Veteran Award.
The award was presented by the Department of Veterans’ Services, Women Veterans’ Network, to Massachusetts residents for exemplary military and community service in the face of personal hardship.
Michelle is the daughter of Teresita Aguon Santos Brookfield, from San Roque, Saipan, and Stephen Brookfield of Boston, Massachusetts.
Her maternal grandparents are Enrique San Nicolas Santos and Ignacia Aguon Santos, both deceased.
Michelle joined the U.S. Army and served for eight years.
She was deployed to Iraq from 2005 to 2006 and served as a medic and a mental health NCO.
While in Iraq, Michelle saw combat along with her unit.
“Michelle was a member of Team Lioness,” said Sablan, “the first female Army team attached to Marine infantry units to conduct operations such as raids, checkpoints, and searches for weapons and explosives.”
As a member of Team Lioness, Michelle was featured in the documentary film, “Lioness,” and in a chapter of Kirsten Holmstedt’s book, “The Girls Come Marching Home.”
Michelle holds a bachelor of science degree in political science with a specialty in Middle Eastern studies. She also speaks seven languages, including Arabic.
As a medic and mental health technician, and later as a retention specialist for the Army, Michelle gained valuable knowledge about the problems veterans face when returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
These experiences enabled her to find her present calling, which is to help fellow veterans, traumatized by the war on terror, to make the adjustment to civilian life.
Currently, Wilmot serves as a program director at the Northeast Veteran Training and Rehabilitation Center in Gardner, Massachusetts.
This facility treats veterans who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, homelessness, traumatic brain injuries, and a range of physical and psychological ailments.
As a result of all her service, Michelle Wilmot was chosen as a recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Woman Veteran Award in Massachusetts.
Congressman Sablan hopes that Michelle’s achievements will serve as an inspiration to the young people of the commonwealth set their sights high and be all they can be.
“On behalf of all the people of the Northern Marianas,” Sablan said, “I congratulate Sgt. Michelle Brookfield Wilmot and thank her for her shining example.”
