Wendy Barranco

Wendy Barranco was born in a small town in Morelos, Mexico. She migrated illegally to Los Angeles at the age of four. Growing up in a poor and Hispanic community, the military influence was great as it could be seen by the recruiters roaming her high school halls. At the age of 17, with the authorization of her mother, she enlisted as a combat medic in the US Army. In October 2005, she deployed to Tikrit, Iraq and spent nine months overseas as an anesthesia technician. Upon her honorable discharge after three years in the service, she returned home to Los Angeles. She began attending community college and struggled to become accustomed to civilian life. At a college event where IVAW members were speaking,s he listened and became enraged at how the speakers were portraying the military. She decided to give them a piece of her mind and in doing so in front of the audience, realized that their stories were also hers. She has served as the president for the Los Angeles chapter leading numerous actions and campaigns. In addition to IVAW, she is a member of VFW, IAVA, and Team Rubicon. Currently she still resides in Los Angeles and is a student working to become a physician's assistant.