Lindsay Gutierrez, a born and raised Sooner from Midwest City, Oklahoma, is a veteran of the United States Air Force. She enlisted in the Air Force as a Security Forces Journeyman in September 2010 and after completing technical training at Lackland Air Force Base, she was assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath (RAFL), United Kingdom. Lindsay remained at RAFL until she was honorably discharged after fulfilling her 6 years of service.
Upon separation from the Air Force, she found the transition back to civilian life came with many challenges – one of which was finding her identity post-military. Lindsay missed the comradery of the military and sought out methods to remain involved with that demographic. Additionally, she wanted to find a way to use her history in the Air Force as a source to advocate for military social issues in her community. It was during a complicated time in her life that Lindsay came across Ms. Veteran America and realized this was the perfect organization that coupled everything she was looking for into one. Although grace, beauty, poise, and service are highlighted during the competition, participants are role models for other women and girls through empowerment, advocacy, and raising awareness for homeless women veterans. In October 2017, Lindsay was crowned Ms. Veteran America and became the new ambassador for the competition’s beneficiary, Final Salute Inc.
Through the military and outside experiences, Lindsay was able to find her calling as an advocate for social needs through awareness and education. In 2020, she obtained her Masters of Social Work from Arizona State University, concentrating in areas such as advocacy for veterans, legislation, policy change, and community outreach. Lindsay remains a faithful servant to many civic and non-profit organizations. She’s an active member of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Post #336, volunteers with D.A.R.E. (Defending, Advocating, Rescuing, and Educating) Animal Rescue, and serves as member of IGNITE National’s inaugural Speakers Bureau. Furthermore, she also sits on the Board of Trustees for the Youth Impact Center the veteran-founded organization, Veterans First Light.
These days, Lindsay can be found studying in preparation for the LSAT. Her goal is to attend law school and combine her degrees to pursue human rights and/or public service law. During her downtime, Lindsay enjoys reading, painting, shopping, participating in pageants, listening to true crime podcasts, mudding in her four-wheeler with friends and family, and exercising. Lindsay resides in Lakeland, Georgia with her fur babies (2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 potbelly pigs, 4 chickens, and 1 hermit crab) and active-duty husband, Anthony, an Equipment Maintenance Craftsman at Moody Air Force Base.
