Kismet Canady

Share your military spouse story:
As a combat veteran and devoted Army spouse of 15 years, I've embodied the spirit of resilience and adaptability that defines our military community. My journey began as a dual-military couple with my husband, Matthew, at JBLM, Washington. We navigated the challenges of deployment, career training, and frequent moves, as I managed our household. In just four years, we moved five times and had our first baby, all requiring flexibility, resourcefulness, and independence in the face of uncertainty. When I transitioned from active duty, I experienced deployment as a soldier and as an army spouse. I continued to pursue my passion for learning by completing my bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, while still supporting my husband’s successful active duty career. With Killeen being my hometown, we found a sense of stability and belonging in this area and in Fort Cavazos. We have two amazing daughters that we teach the value of agriculture and community involvement. As a veteran, I help spouses and families understand things from the perspective of the service member. Having experienced PTSD firsthand, I’ve gained insights that allow me to educate spouses on issues from a Soldier’s perspective, fostering stronger family units and emphasizing the importance of mental health and communication. As a business owner and committed volunteer, I'm dedicated to empowering fellow military spouses and providing them with the resources and guidance they need to thrive. Being a veteran and a military spouse has given me a unique perspective on the challenges faced by military families. This experience fuels my determination to make a positive impact and support military communities. I'm committed to continuing my work and making a difference in the lives of military spouses, children, and service members.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
As President of Santa's Workshop at The Great Place we secured $150,000 in financial and toy donations supporting over 2,000 children of active duty families. I work closely with the installation's commanding general and staff, as well as executives from public and private organizations. I'm responsible for 14 board members and hundreds of volunteers throughout the year. Every interaction is an opportunity to build a stronger community by promoting all available programs and services. I’ve been involved in focus groups designed to strengthen and improve the lives of military families, leveraging my leadership to advocate for meaningful change. My passion for serving military families has been a driving force throughout my journey. I was recognized as the 2024 Fort Cavazos Volunteer of the Year, honoring my dedication of over 1,100 hours of service. This was a testament to my commitment to making a positive impact, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to serve my community.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I actively support fellow spouses, military children, and servicemembers both on and off base. I've planned events with Soldier and Family Readiness Groups (SFRG) from resource fairs to socials. I volunteer at the United Service Organization (USO) and Operation Deploy Your Dress (ODYD). I'm a board member of the Cavazos Thrift Shop and a member of the Fort Cavazos Spouses Club. My passion for supporting military families extends to the local community. I have strong connections to the local school district and connect schools with resources for their military students. I help at my daughters' elementary school with the Communities In Schools (CIS) Program and I co-lead an agricultural club which inspired me to become a substitute teacher. While stationed overseas, I was a member of the PWOC and community exercise groups. Through these various roles and activities, I've built strong relationships and made a meaningful difference in the lives of those around me.

Describe how you support your community:
As a dedicated community leader, I connect organizations and facilitate meaningful collaborations to drive positive change in our community. Through these efforts, I coordinated donations of essential items such as clothing, baby supplies, and household goods, directly to military families or sold at our Thrift Shop to raise funds for grants and scholarships. I am also a co-leader of the Muddy Boots 4H Agriculture club. I have the privilege of mentoring and guiding families as they work together to create a supportive and inclusive community for all families. Our club is a vibrant and dynamic community that is dedicated to teaching children the value of hard work, responsibility, and compassion. Whether we're raising livestock, participating in county fairs, or volunteering with local non-profits, our club members are constantly learning, growing, and making a positive impact on the world around them.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I believe stability and support are crucial during deployments and service-related absences. In the last 15 years, many of my best friends have since divorced and I have seen so many military families not make it. This has led me to be a partner of a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources and assistance to spouses in struggling relationships or those going through divorce. By connecting them with available programs and offering guidance, we aim to create a supportive network that strengthens families. I've served on grant committees with the Fort Cavazos Spouses Club and Thrift Shop, where $200,000 in grants were awarded to recipients like the Food Care Center, Families in Crisis, Military Scholarship fund. With my own journey, I understand the importance of addressing mental health within military families. I actively educate spouses on the Soldier’s mindset to improve family dynamics and strengthen their resilience.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
As a skilled communicator, I've engaged public audiences and media outlets to raise awareness for programs that assist military spouses. As the publicity manager for multiple organizations, I've leveraged all digital channels to amplify our message and reach a wider audience. I serve as a liaison to local media outlets, including the local news, Fort Cavazos Sentinel, Killeen Daily Herald, and The Great Big Podcast. As President, I have spoken at many events and organizations about our needs and issues. Additionally, I've maintained communication with the installation's Brigade, Division, and Corps command teams on a monthly basis during Community Service Council meetings, ensuring military spouse issues remain a top priority. I collect pertinent resources as well to pass along to the spouses. I speak regularly with military spouses to share insights into soldier perspectives, mental health challenges, and community resources, fostering understanding and connection.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected as Military Spouse of the Year, this prestigious title would recognize my efforts to support military families, as well as, provide a powerful platform to inspire and empower others. I would leverage this opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges faced by military spouses and the importance of community support. I would promote programs and resources that strengthen military communities, such as educational and vocational programs, employment initiatives, mental health services, and family support networks. Being African American, I want to inspire others who look like me, showing them they can achieve their aspirations and make a difference in their communities. As a veteran, I want to ensure our issues continue to be addressed and inform my fellow battles of resources available to them. By sharing my own experiences and amplifying the voices of other military spouses, I aim to create a ripple effect of positivity and resilience throughout the military community.