Catherine Ernest

Share your military spouse story:
My story is one of perseverance, growth, and relying on my Military Spouses. Deployments bring challenges, requiring spouses to carry the full weight of family life while supporting their service member from afar. This weight is HEAVY! I strive to uplift, empower, and be a safe place for military spouses to reach out to me, connect and relate to things on a deeper level. Anyone can come to for advice and help them live happier lives! To give back, I proudly serve as Vice President of the NY Spouses Club, where I work to support, connect, and empower fellow spouses. I want spouses to feel seen, supported, and valued, especially during the most challenging times of life. This journey has shaped who I am! Being military will always have its difficulties and challenges, but increasing military family connection, fun, and happiness gives me such joy! Having people to rely on is so important, even if it’s a simple as grabbing a cup of coffee while your children’s play, the little things matter so much!

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I currently serve on the Sector New York Spouses Club board as Vice President! Our goal is to strengthen our community and promote social gatherings and connection for all spouses families and their children. We coordinate social gatherings, family fun events and parties. I love our book club and running club! As a half marathon runner myself, promoting health and fitness and healthy eating is one of my passions! Being a part of the Spouses running club has been amazing for my mental health!

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I currently serve on the Sector New York Spouses Club board as Vice President!

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Volunteering as the Sector New York Spouses Club Vice President has allowed me to connect with military spouses in my community and surrounding areas. Having simple conversations with fellow spouses and mothers is so wonderful! I truly believe that the small encounters we have throughout our daily schedule can make up such a big difference. Something as simple as smiling at your neighbor, giving a nice compliment, or having a short conversation can really brighten someone’s day. We never know what personal struggles someone is going through, and I would like to do everything I can to lift someone up and share just a little ounce of happiness!

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My main goals are to provide support and connection throughout our whole community. Being a military spouse can be so lonely and overwhelming and someone needs a friend at all times I hope to be the friend that anyone can come to when they need help, a reading pal, a running buddy, or advice or just someone to simply talk to.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
Having the spouses club here has been amazing for me personally! I am able to relate, share horror stories, joke around, and offer advice to new mothers and new spouses moving to the area. Sometimes we’re all just struggling to survive our day-to-day life and balancing everything…I’d like to say we’re all in in the same boat but really we’re not. We’re all in the same ocean. Some of us are sailing smoothly and some of us (like myself—are drowning), but having this community is a little life raft of support and I am so thankful for it!!

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to provide inspiration to other spouses mothers and women who experienced similar challenges like myself. Balancing a home a family a career and keeping your mental and physical health top-tier is so difficult but having people to reach out to you and rely on is amazing and so needed!! I hope to be a person that anyone can come to and leave our conversation, feeling happier and motivated to continue on throughout their day and embrace any daily struggles with determination and confidence!!!