Episode 142 · April 30, 2024
Patricia Pineda is one Amazing Mom
with Patricia Pineda, US Navy veteran, mom, and performer
34 min
Patricia Pineda is one Amazing Mom
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In this episode
In this episode I sit down with Patricia Pineda, an amazing mom who landed on my radar in the most beautiful way — her 13-year-old daughter, Diane, nominated her in Tulsa Kids Magazine's Amazing Mom Contest. I read Diane's letter out loud at the start of our conversation, and honestly, it brought us both to tears. That letter is a window into who Patricia is: a role model, a fierce single mom, and her daughters' biggest cheerleader.
Patricia is Afro-Latina, born and raised in Brooklyn, a child of God, a US Navy veteran, and a recent college graduate with a bachelor's in business management. She became a mom at 16, joined the Navy at 20, served on the USS Iwo Jima, and later became a disabled veteran. She's also walked through some of the hardest seasons a person can face — depression, homelessness, sleeping in a car, giving her food to her kids so they could eat. She's raw and vulnerable about all of it, including her semicolon tattoo and the times she almost gave up.
What I love is where all of that led her: a life built on serving others. Patricia and Diane pour themselves into volunteerism through the pageant world (not for the glamour — for the platform), and Diane created her own #FEED platform — Food, Education, Encouragement, Dreams. And now, for the first time, Patricia is stepping into her own long-held passion for singing, acting, and dance with a role as the goddess Agwe in Theatre Tulsa's "Once on This Island" at the PAC this month, with Diane right there beside her. Keep going, friends — this one will move you.
Key takeaways
- Every day is another opportunity to do something better — practice makes progress, not perfection.
- Patricia's mom, Esther, earned her master's in social work right before turning 60, proving it's never too late to advance your education — and inspiring Patricia to finish her bachelor's degree.
- The semicolon isn't the end of the sentence. If you're in a dark place, take a moment, look in the mirror, and remember your story isn't over.
- Pageantry, done with purpose, is about service — using a sash and crown as a platform to feed, clothe, and encourage people in your community.
- You don't have to do everything for everyone all the time — focus on what you can do for one person, one time.
- The military can offer stability, guidance, and real financial and educational support for people who aren't sure what's next (it's not for everyone, but it can be right for some).
- You can hold a strong parent-child relationship AND a genuine friendship when you respect boundaries and build trust.
“If you're blessed to wear this dress, turn around and feed someone else. If you're not helping someone else, what are you living for?”
“A period ends a sentence. A semicolon is a continuation — that means your life is not done.”
“It's about what you can do for one person one time.”
“Grow more in 2024 with Christ. Every day is another opportunity to do something better.”
Resources mentioned
About Patricia
US Navy veteran, mom, and performer
Patricia Pineda is an Afro-Latina mother of two, a US Navy veteran and disabled veteran, and a recent college graduate with a bachelor's degree in business management. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she became a mom at 16 and served on the USS Iwo Jima as a logistics specialist. After walking through seasons of depression and homelessness, Patricia now centers her life on faith, family, and serving others through volunteerism and pageantry — and is stepping into her own passion for singing, acting, and dance as the goddess Agwe in Theatre Tulsa's 'Once on This Island.'
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