WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"Latina Warrior"
“Some authors open windows offering readers a quick glimpse of their lives,
but Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin pulls the front door wide open, welcoming the reader in with no time by which one must leave, and no topic left unexplored. She takes the reader on a journey with an honor, respect, and safety that was not always afforded her and, in the process, creates an intimacy and trust that keeps the reader engaged, anticipating each page turn, and ultimately rewarded with a feast for the eyes, heart, and mind.
“We saw the power of words and writing in the creative engagements we offered as part of our care of wounded, ill and injured servicemembers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and it continued to be true as we moved to a virtual platform during the COVID pandemic, offering writing workshops for patients, caregivers, family members, and staff. These classes, like Writing for Well-being, Writing for Love, and Writing for Grief, filled immediately and the participant’s feedback was strong and overwhelmingly supportive. Creativity and self-expression continue to demonstrate their ability and role in finding and maintaining health, balance, and well-being.
“The power of using art to express oneself and illustrate lived experiences is strongly evident throughout the poetry and art in Latina Warrior. This unique collaboration can serve as a blueprint for others to start and traverse their own healing journeys.”
Captain Moira G. McGuire, US Public Health Service (Ret.)
Former Chief, Arts in Health Program, National Intrepid Center of
Excellence Founder, Healing Arts Exhibit, Walter Reed
“Lisa Carrington Firmin’s fierce and brutally honest autobiography in verse takes the reader from childhood, to the ravages of combat, to the reconciled reality of life among civilians. This book is not just for veterans, but for anyone seeking to understand the warrior’s experience in combat or a smart, driven Latina’s experience of life before, during, and after military service. A searing avalanche of images and words that jointly document and illustrate a Latina warrior’s life.”
Norma Elia Cantú, author of Canícula: Snapshots of a Girlhood en laFrontera, Murchison Professor of Humanities at Trinity University,San Antonio, Texas
“Latina Warrior challenges the public mindset of military service, as these strong and courageous women combat veterans share their most intimate experiences, revealing the obstacles, realities, and success of their military service and found sisterhood. This collaboration between Colonel Carrington Firmin and Major Helferich-Polosky epitomizes selfless leadership, as the richly illustrated poems open channels for readers to gain insight into the challenges that women and minorities face both in the military and after. A rare glimpse into the realities of military women’s service and a demonstration of the uplifting power of military sisterhood.”
AnnMarie Halterman, USAF veteran and artist
Co-founder, Uniting US
“These poems are raw and real, coming from the perspective of a Latina warrior. Fellow combat veteran Helferich-Polosky’s accompanying artwork adds an important visual dimension. The poems capture stories that need to be told so others know they are not alone, especially those who have experienced military sexual trauma. They reflect Carrington Firmin’s life journey from growing up as a Latina, to joining the military and experiencing combat, to life after the military and a shifting identity that so many service members experience, and, ultimately, to healing as an “MST Warrior.” She finds the courage to speak her truth through her poems, along the way finding her strength and a place of healing that is inspirational to others.”
Sandra B. Morissette, PhD
Professor of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio
“Latina Warrior will speak to others as an archetypal representation of metamorphosis, moving from untouched childhood innocence to unexpected woundedness to the lost innocence of combat, to the quest for healing, recovery, and restoration.”
Dr. Pat Pernicano, PsyD,
Author and trauma-focused therapist
“The poems and artwork in Latina Warrior offer a riveting look at life in the military for female service members, especially those traumatized by sexual violence. But the book is not at all despair-laden, with delightfully upbeat praise-poems to mentors and mentees, fellow soldiers, and soul sisters. The book is divided into four main sections with fast-paced, easy to follow poems as the speaker moves through childhood and family life, into the military and combat, then life after the military, then the healing "road to authenticity." The fifth and final section of the book is an unusual and unexpected but fascinating addition: brief reflections by both writer and artist on each art and poem entry.
A word about the art by Christina Helferich-Polosky that accompanies each poem: these are not mere illustrations but deeply responsive visual interpretations of the written words. Many are collages in which the poet's words are superimposed onto photographs or watercolor or acrylic drawings. Each art piece is unique in style and materials. One of my favorites, which partners with a poem about the death of a marriage, is of a skeleton-couple in wedding attire facing away from each other.
Together the poems and art of Latina Warrior create a truly compelling book. The message it offers is important and necessary, a message of hope and healing, particularly for women in the military who have suffered trauma. Thanks to both poet and artist for this truly stunning book!"
Nancy Arbuthnot (April 2024), Military Writers Society of America, (MWSA)