Eleanor Finney

Share your military spouse story:
I married my husband two years before his military service commitment. At the age of 25, with a growing family and individual careers, we spent countless hours researching and deciding to make the significant decision to uproot our family to serve our nation. Once immersed in military life, we quickly realized the hardships that often go unspoken. We witnessed the effects of financial shortfalls as well as pay delays, deployments, food insecurity, job instability, childcare inaccessibility, and a lack of healthcare continuity, all of which take a toll on the mental health of our community. In response to these challenges, I felt compelled to make a difference through service and by using my voice. I began volunteering and returned to school, where I am now completing a triple major in military resilience, crisis counseling, and biblical military counseling. I plan to pursue an MBA in nonprofit leadership and management, which will equip me with the skills to continue providing essential services and solutions to our deserving community. Throughout my journey, I have held numerous positions that have allowed me to play a crucial role in providing vital support and resources to our community. I have taken part in and spearheaded initiatives that have been instrumental in ensuring that the needs of our community are met effectively and proactively. I consistently leverage my leadership skills to drive strategic initiatives and collaborate with other community leaders. I never let obstacles deter me. Instead, I rise to the occasion and have become a leader within the community. In everything I do, my involvement reflects a deep commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of military families. I am there whether it involves serving at a local food drive, organizing a town hall session, or simply connecting other families to the support they need. I will continue to support our community in every way I can.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
In the many leadership positions I have held, I have had the privilege of playing a part in providing essential support and resources to our community. I have organized and coordinated various events, including bond-building opportunities, holiday gift giveaways, food drives, mental health, resilience, and reintegration training, to ensure our community's needs are effectively and proactively met. I have led support groups and town halls, both in-person and virtually, providing a safe and inclusive space for service members and their families to voice concerns, connect, share experiences, and find support. I continue to serve as a leader within a non-profit organization focused on mental health solutions. I consistently leverage my leadership skills through strategic initiatives and collaboration with other community leaders. As a leader, I remain rooted in empathy and my steadfast commitment to service to make a positive difference in the lives of the community.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
My involvement in the military community has been a journey marked by growth, dedication, and a solid commitment to service. Initially entering the community as a MilSpouse, I faced a unique set of challenges; however, I didn't let these obstacles deter me. Instead, I rose to the occasion and became a leader within the community. In all that I do, my involvement reflects a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of military families, whether it is serving at a local food drive, organizing a town hall session, or simply connecting other families to further support.

Describe how you support your community:
I support my community by being present online and in real life and ensuring they know their voice is valid and heard. Our military community is vast, stretched from duty station to duty station across the globe. I am a present voice for my online spouses, and for those who are local, I am present in real life. I run various groups online for military spouses, families, and loved ones and am present in dozens more. I always do my best to be a virtual cheerleader or shoulder to cry on when needed. I host coffee hours, meals, and events for local spouses in my local community. In all that I do, I advocate for change—working towards breaking down the stigmas around voicing the struggles within our community. Overall, I am a present force for good and change. I always do my best to be there for anyone, no matter the circumstances, and to let them know that whatever struggle military life is throwing their way, it is okay to say they are not okay.

What do you advocate for? Why?
When it comes to whom I advocate for, it is easy to say I support every person in the military community: service members, spouses, children, and any others who don’t fall into those categories. I am passionate about caring for each individual and the family unit. I never want to leave anyone feeling less than cared for and deserving of love. It is important to me that everyone is treated equally. I am constantly seeking opportunities to open doors and invite everyone in, helping me establish relationships with those around me so they know I am in their corner. I am highly passionate about our service members' and their families' mental health. While mental health is starting to become a discussion in the military community, we are often left to fend for ourselves, and the correlated stressors are not being addressed. I want to help change that because I have first-hand experience with its difficulty. NO ONE SHOULD EVER HAVE TO FEEL ALONE!

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I've predominantly utilized the power of social media, particularly Facebook, as my primary platform for spreading the message of my advocacy. In today's technology-driven society, social media offers many opportunities for connecting with the military community and their families. Through various channels such as groups, live feeds, stories, and influential profiles, I've effectively reached and engaged with a broad audience, making it an invaluable tool for promoting my cause. In addition, I've also recognized the importance of being "boots on the ground" and actively present within the local community, which has landed media attention. I believe in the power of face-to-face interactions to provide tangible support and foster personal connections. By engaging directly with individuals and organizations in our local community, I've built meaningful relationships, showcased my unwavering support, and ensured that my advocacy resonates personally.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If honored with the title of AFI Spouse of the Year, my mission would be to break down the walls surrounding the stigma associated with mental health, food insecurity, job instability, and childcare disparities, ensuring these critical issues receive the attention they rightfully deserve. I am determined to utilize this platform to raise awareness within the military community, advocating for mental health awareness and resources accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. Through the incredible MSOY network, I would mobilize a powerful force, spreading awareness like wildfire and ensuring that people receive the help they need and the help they deserve. My goal is to champion the importance of these issues and ensure that every voice within the military community is genuinely heard.