Her job title for United Airlines is ramp service agent, but that doesn't nearly tell what this Chicago native does for Chicago's hometown airline.
Marcelina K. Villalobos can guide airplanes in to the gate, or taxi them away for take-off. She loads and unloads planes of passengers' luggage, bundles of mail, and more. She also is qualified and trained to de-ice planes in the winter.
"One of my cousins who helped me get another job told me how much he enjoyed it, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I started at a different airline, but ended up at United," Villalobos said.
The best part of her job is simple, she said: "Being able to fly anywhere around the world whenever I want." The worst part is simple, too: Chicago winters and having to work outside, regardless of what Mother Nature delivers.
"I am always thinking about where I want to go on my next vacation or mini vacation," she said, smiling.
Villalobos was nominated as a quarterly winner for one of United's top awardsthe United 100 Award. "I was nominated by a [pilot] who said I went above and beyond and didn't overlook something that could have caused damage to one of our aircrafts," she said.
Villalobos is in her fourth season playing for the Chicago Force as a defensive tackle.
"Man, I have so many memories [from the Force], but seeing all the hard work put in to this team from everyone, the dedication, determination, the tears, the fight we all have inside, I love my team for so many reason," said Villalobos, who captured the 2013 national championship with the Force.
"Losing my son Marcelino has been the hardest thing besides losing my parents," Villalobos said. "I never had the courage to have another child, but everything I do, I do to make him proud just as if he were here with me. I want him to know what an amazing mother he has, and that no matter what you put your mind to, you can achieve. He has been my rock, my strength, my reason for never giving up."
THE STATS
Age: 35
Neighborhood: Little Village
Nickname: "Nani"
Favorite movie: The Odd Life of Timothy Green, "because by the end I am in tears, something that hits close to home when it was time to let go."
Favorite TV show: "Anything that features Chicago and food, so it would probably be Chicago's Best."
Hobbies: "Cooking, and finding new recipes on the Internet or TV"
Favorite pizza topping( s ): Spinach
Chicago Force: "I really want to thank everyone from the Chicago Force, from teammates to coaches, for not giving up on me and pushing me to get better."
Little-known fact: "I am the youngest of four. I have two older sisters and a brother."