Allicia Edstrom Fairbanks

Share your military spouse story:
I became an Army spouse in January 2020. Three months later, COVID-19 shut down the world, and my introduction to military life became a crash course in resilience. I was working full-time, attending college, solo parenting a four-year-old, and serving as lead operations manager for a frontline nonprofit, all while learning what Army life meant and finding my footing in a completely new season of life. That fall, we completed a full DITY move across the country for our first PCS: ambitious, chaotic, and unforgettable. At Fort Drum, we found a community that quickly became family, showing up for one another through our first deployment and turning strangers into lifelong friends. Now in Germany, that sense of connection has only deepened. Military life has taught me adaptability, service, and the power of showing up for others when life feels uncertain, and I’m grateful to be part of something so meaningful.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
At both Fort Drum and Hohenfels, I have dedicated my time and energy to leading in ways that build trust, connection, and care within the military spouse community. Serving nearly three years as SFRG Advisor at Drum taught me how powerful it is to show up consistently, listen deeply, and create spaces where families feel safe and supported. I also served as Ways & Means Chair for the North Country Spouses’ Club, where I learned how meaningful it is to connect community service with purpose. Since arriving in Hohenfels, I have continued to lead across multiple organizations, including roles as SFRG Advisor, Chair, Treasurer, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Hospitality for PWOC, and board member for the Community & Spouses’ Club. As 1st Vice President, I helped revive the Fall Bazaar and am working to bring back the Spring Bazaar. I also founded and direct the Hohenfels Community Pantry, a role that has deeply shaped how I lead with compassion and action.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
Volunteering and being involved are where I feel most connected and fulfilled. I continue to serve as the SFRG Advisor for my husband’s unit, helping families stay informed, supported, and connected through all stages of Army life. I also remain actively involved with the Community & Spouses’ Club, where I serve as 1st Vice President and work on large-scale community initiatives that bring families together and support on-post programs. In addition, I founded and now direct the Hohenfels Community Pantry, which provides shelf-stable food, hygiene products, uniforms, and emergency assistance to those in need. This past holiday season, we served over 100 soldiers and families through Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions. Across these roles, I make a point to stay hands-on and responsive, ensuring support reaches soldiers and families when and where it’s needed, while fostering a culture of care, inclusion, and community connection.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
One of the moments that best reflects my impact is watching our unit SFRG grow from a handful of attendees to nearly every spouse on the roster actively participating. That growth represents trust, belonging, and the courage it takes for spouses to step into community, especially in environments that can feel isolating. Through my leadership in events like the Fall Bazaar and other community programs, I do my best to create opportunities for spouses to connect, contribute, and discover their strengths. Watching someone step into a leadership role for the first time, find their voice, or realize their own potential is deeply rewarding and continually reminds me how meaningful community building can be, for both the families I serve and for me personally, as it has strengthened my empathy, patience, and perspective as a leader.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
The Hohenfels Community Pantry holds a very special place in my heart. When the government shutdown hit, leadership realized there was no on-post food pantry, creating an even greater challenge in an OCONUS environment with limited resources. Having been involved with similar organizations before the military, I knew both the logistics of starting one and the critical importance of providing support with dignity. I felt a personal responsibility to ensure families in need would never be asked to fund the service themselves. I developed a proposal, secured emergency grant funding through the Community & Spouses’ Club, and built partnerships across the installation to provide long-term support. By the time the grant was approved, we were operational within two days. Leading this effort has profoundly shaped me, reinforcing the power of advocacy rooted in empathy, collaboration, and action, and the impact one person can have when they step forward for their community.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I knew the success of the pantry would depend on collaboration and clear communication. I reached out to military leadership at multiple levels to identify available resources, then partnered with organizations including PWOC, the USO, Community & Spouses’ Club, and the Commissary to build a sustainable foundation. Once we were operational, I used social media to raise awareness and share updates. Shortly after, Stars and Stripes contacted me for a phone interview, where I discussed the needs we were seeing in our community. That article led to outreach from the American Women’s Club of Berlin, resulting in a significant monetary donation that helped fund our holiday food distributions.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As AFI Military Spouse of the Year, I hope to bring greater awareness to the unique challenges faced by military families stationed overseas. While OCONUS assignments are often viewed as exciting, the reality can be overwhelming. Language barriers, limited access to familiar resources, and distance from support systems can turn everyday tasks into emotional stressors, making spouses feel isolated or unsupported. I want to amplify the voices of overseas spouses, highlight both the challenges and the resilience we carry, and work collaboratively to strengthen resources and support systems. I aim to inspire creative solutions, foster meaningful connections, and empower spouses to thrive wherever duty calls. Above all, no spouse should feel invisible or unsupported simply because of where they are stationed, and together we can build communities rooted in connection, compassion, and care.