Maggie Williamson Moody

Share your military spouse story:
I am a Navy spouse of 10 years, a mother, and a devoted friend. I fell in love very young, and my husband, Aaron, was just pursuing joining the military around the time we started dating. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. During the beginning of his career, he was busy with arduous military medical training that came with frequent moves. In our first four moves from 2013 through 2018, I had very little time to integrate and network with the military spouse community. I was first exposed to the numerous opportunities to serve the military community while interacting with the unit Family Readiness Officer when Aaron was with his first operational unit. I love forcing myself out of my comfort zone to build friendships and have a positive impact around me, and quickly realized that the work was rewarding and appreciated. Looking back on my time as a military spouse thus far, my fondest memories are from our 4th duty station at 29 Palms, CA. We were very skeptical to head to the desert, but because of military spouse connections, I already knew one person before arriving. She quickly showed me that the quickest way to incorporate our family into the community was to get involved early and frequent. It started with kickball but quickly evolved to numerous other spouse organizations on base. We were stationed there during the start of the pandemic, but those two years were filled with rewarding experiences in a tight knit military spouse community. I pushed myself and my family into the community and we had two of the best and most enjoyable years of service. I quickly realized that by seeking opportunities to serve, I could offer our family the chance to create realtionships that will last all of our lives. I believe every duty station can be wonderful as long as your personal boundaries, get outside of your comfort zone, and seek to better your community.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I am currently serving as the Vice President and Social Chair for the Parris Island Spouses' Club (PISC). I would have never had the leadership title without a push from several friends here at Parris Island. I only accepted the nomination for the ability to serve the people in Parris Island. Being the Vice President has challenged me in more ways than I ever thought. I have helped this community by organizing monthly events for the past two years and hope that each event has brought someone joy. Being at the VP level has allowed me to advocate for the Club with base leadership and resources to expand opportunities for spousal gatherings and exponentially increase the rewarding service opportunities for our club members. My leadership experience also includes the marketing I do for the PISC in order to increase members and maximize their participation in our efforts.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Throughout my life as a military spouse I have been initiated and led many events, attended countless meetings, and sought opportunities to serve . Through the kickball association I have coordinated the donations of several items to charity through four different base leagues to include canned and dried goods for food pantries, school supplies, women;s shelter supplies, art work cards, books, etc. Through my spouse club involvement on Parris Island, I have planned and organized 18 major events for local spouses. Our biggest events I was directly involved with have been the Murder Mystery Dinner and Silent auction, a Spring Golf Tournament, Goat Yoga, multiple Tour of Homes/Tour of Lights, Bloom Where You're Planted connection event, and the Kids' Marine Corps Birthday Ball to name a few. These events offered spousal connection but also raised money for scholarships and provided great communal connection opportunities for our military members and their spouses and dependents.

Describe how you support your community:
I am a “Southern Hospitality” girl down to my roots and love the “be a good neighbor” mentality. I do this thorugh food, open doors, help with children, rides, a shoulder to lean on, prayers, unlimited popsicles, coffee, and wine. Whatever a neighbor needs, I will do my best to provide it and be a friend. We are all in this “military family” together and the only way through this life is to lean on and support each other. We have learned how hard it is to integrate into a community when you move so often so I want to ease the burden on families who join us at our duty stations. I also try to bridge the gap between the military community and the civilian community off the base.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I am an advocate for kindness and the new young mother who just arrived at a place far away from home and family with no connections. I also advocate for the junior service member who is in the same boat. I have met people all over the USA and will always treat whomever with kindness and a smile. I am not inhibited by rank nor meet someone I won’t try to bond with and welcome in. The military can be a really rough, lonely life and I couldn’t do it without every person I have met at every duty station. I truly hope I have left a legacy of kindness behind at every home.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I have been a military spouse for almost 11 years and have volunteered and been requested to represent the military spouse and military family community on numerous occasions. My parents were active in our hometown and raised me to give back. I want to continue that discipline they gave me and be an example to others. I have committed time and resources to the Spouses’ Club planning and setting up the Spouse events while encouraging and working with other members who volunteer their time and talents. I’ve hosted planning sessions that doubled as fellowship time. I have traveled the Beaufort area in search of sponsors while spreading awareness for the Club’s Dependent Scholarship Fund. I actively participate in club events and support our Private Peppers sub-club. Constantly sharing club and area news on my personal social media accounts and on area pages for other spouses to see. I believe engaging on social media daily is the most effective way to reach as many spouses as possible.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
It’s not a title I ever thought about receiving because I have enjoyed my life as a navy wife. I have enjoyed being a friend and neighbor to other spouses and their families in each community. I absolutely love to plan events and gatherings. I truly love spending time with others and helping with needs. So, I would like to accomplish finishing my remaining time in this Club well by continuing to support and serve the military families that are here with kindness. It is my hope that everyone feels like a valued part of this community and my hope is that kindness will spread contagiously. With or without this title I will continue everything I am doing plus more to give back to my military community.