Eleanor Finney

Share your military spouse story:
I married my husband two years before he committed to military service. At 25, with a growing family and stable careers, we made the life-changing decision to uproot everything and dedicate ourselves to serving our nation. That leap of faith reshaped every part of our lives, revealing the unseen challenges of military life. We quickly learned the often-unspoken struggles military families face: financial stress, delayed paychecks, deployments, food insecurity, and unstable childcare and healthcare. These hardships take a serious toll on mental health and resilience, both for individuals and families. Rather than be defeated, I decided to turn these challenges into a mission. I began volunteering, returned to school, and am now nearing the completion of a triple major in military resilience, crisis counseling, and biblical military counseling. My education, combined with lived experience, fuels my passion to help others. In my leadership roles, I’ve worked to create tangible change—organizing food drives, connecting families to essential resources, and advocating for mental health support. I’ve led initiatives to break the stigma around mental health and improve crisis care for military families. This journey led to my creation of Defenders of Resilience, a nonprofit, and the Operation Resilient app, an innovative platform that connects service members and their families to immediate mental health care through a global network of chaplains, counselors, and certified coaches. By turning personal struggles into a collective movement, I’ve helped uplift countless families, strengthened our community, and inspired others to join the fight for resilience. Together, we’re ensuring no one in the military community faces their challenges alone.

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 journey within the military community has been one of resilience, growth, and unwavering dedication to service. I’ve faced unique challenges, but I’ve embraced these experiences as opportunities to lead and uplift others. From volunteering at local food drives to organizing town hall sessions and connecting families to vital support systems, my commitment to this community is deeply rooted in a desire to make a meaningful difference. This passion led me to found Defenders of Resilience, a mental health organization dedicated to supporting military families. I also created Operation Resilient, a groundbreaking app that serves as the first-of-its-kind resiliency platform tailored specifically for the military community. Additionally, we provide free counseling services to service members, veterans, and their families, ensuring they have access to the support they need. My work reflects my dedication to creating a lasting impact and fostering resilience within the military community.

Describe how you support your community:
I support my community both online and in real life, ensuring military families know their voices are valid and heard. Our military community is vast, stretching across the globe from duty station to duty station. I am a constant presence for local spouses and for those online, running several groups for military spouses, families, and loved ones, while also participating in many more. I offer virtual cheerleading and a shoulder to cry on when needed. Locally, I host coffee hours, meals, and events to bring spouses together. Through Defenders of Resilience and the Operation Resilient app, I advocate for change and work to break down the stigmas surrounding mental health in our community. These platforms provide support, resources, and a safe space for military members and their families. I am committed to being a force for good, ensuring that no one feels alone and reminding them it’s okay to say they are not okay, no matter the struggle military life may bring.

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, my mission would be to break down the walls surrounding the stigma around mental health, food insecurity, job instability, and childcare disparities. These issues are often overlooked, and I am determined to use this platform to ensure they receive the attention and support they desperately need. I am passionate about advocating for mental health, not just as a service member's spouse, but as someone who has seen firsthand how these struggles impact individuals and families. Too often, people suffer in silence, unable to find the words for their pain. My goal is to be their voice—amplifying their stories and creating a space where no one has to face these challenges alone. Through the MSOY network, I would mobilize a community of advocates, working together to spread awareness and push for systemic change. My aim is to make sure that military families have access to the resources they deserve—so every voice in our community is heard and valued.