Rasheeda Morris

Share your military spouse story:
Keith and I met through a mutual friend who was also my social work colleague. My colleague and I had been out searching for a runaway child and decide to get dinner together at Buffalo Wild Wings and debrief. Keith and several of his fraternity brothers happened to also be at BBW. She introduced us and I commented on his physical physique. We exchanged numbers and have been together ever since. We started with lunch dates and working out in the evenings. I have always admired the fact that Keith made the decision to enlist and serve his country while a senior in high school. I have always been career and education focused, and he has supported my lifelong learning. I have obtained my master’s and specialist degrees during our relationship, and he is determined for me to go ahead and complete my doctorate degree. He is my person and I am his, we genuinely enjoying spending time together. I come from a military family background and understand the commitment and sacrifices service members and their families make. Keith and I have been married for almost eleven years and we have two children together and four all together. Although we have not experienced any deployments or PCS moves, there have been times that we were separated due to military service and orders. I have met several military spouses and single service members through my husband and his unit, that have become an essential part of our village. From holiday gatherings to, school carpools, and supporting each other’s children at extracurricular activities.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I am a huge advocate for education and service, both have played a large role in my leadership experience. Within the military community I have spoke to military families concerning home school laws and education in Mississippi and military families school choice for Mississippi. All this information is vital for military family’s stationed in Mississippi for long and short periods of time. Home school education laws vary from state to state and can be very confusing for families.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
My involvement in the military community includes being a friend, support, and actively participate in the community as often as possible. I am on the Hattiesburg Public Schools Superintendents Advisory council and a local Girl Scout troop leader. I also hold leadership positions within both of my children’s school Parent Teacher Associations. I actively volunteer at both of their schools, community service projects with my girl scout troops, and the local military bases. Being visible withing the local schools and community allows me to not only support children of local military service members but also service as a liaison to ensure that military families voices are always heard and represented.

Describe how you support your community:
My involvement in the military community includes being a friend, support, and actively participate in the community as often as possible. I am on the Hattiesburg Public Schools Superintendents Advisory council and a local Girl Scout troop leader. I also hold leadership positions within both of my children’s school Parent Teacher Associations. I actively volunteer at both of their schools, community service projects with my girl scout troops, and the local military bases. Being visible withing the local schools and community allows me to not only support children of local military service members but also service as a liaison to ensure that military families voices are always heard and represented.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for military family’s education and mental health. As a season social worker and therapist, I know how overwhelming it can be to be a miliary spouse during deployments and PCS moves. Military children also often require additional supports is school due to the many moves and parents being absent due to deployments. My involvement in the education community allows me to advocate for children and spouse education and school choice. My social work experiences have increased my know and access to resources and supports to meet the needs of military spouses overwhelmed mentally, physically, and/or financially due to deployments or PCS moves.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I use social media and word of mouth to share information and resources that are available to military families. Articles and posts concerning education bill and laws, scholarships, school district policy updates, and local events on base. I prioritize volunteering with organizations that advocates for military families. I share my experiences as a military spouse with other spouses, and mentor them personally and professionally.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As the AFI Military Spouse of the Year I would be afforded the opportunity to reach a larger audience of Mississippi communities and families. I would use my voice to increase my relationships with school districts, community organizations and employers. This would allow me the opportunity to a liaison with school districts, increase organizations knowledge to help military families, and build relationships with potential employers for military spouses.