Hannah Sanders

Share your military spouse story:
I’m originally from a beach town in North Carolina, so military life was never part of the plan. My spouse and I met at a birthday party at a bar and ended up in the right place at the right time. About a year and a half later, we were married and preparing for what we thought would be our first move to Montana. After two canceled orders, we instead celebrated with a big wedding surrounded by family and friends. Shortly after, my husband deployed. Our first move took us from North Carolina to the desert of New Mexico, not ideal for a beach girl, but it surprised me with incredible food and stunning mountain sunrises. From there, we moved to Nebraska with our five-week-old son during COVID, arriving to deep snow and a brutal winter of -40-degree temperatures. In Nebraska, I truly leaned into the military community, joining the Enlisted Spouses Club and building a support system beyond my husband and son. During recent difficult medical diagnoses with my husband, that community carried me. They turned a duty station into a home and reminded me I was never alone.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I have served with the Spouses Club for five years in progressively responsible roles. I began with the Coffee Club, planning meetups and building connections among members. Over time, I supported the club’s largest fundraisers, including the Bazaar, fireworks stands, and Winter Wonderland. This year, I served as Co-Chair for the 32nd Annual Winter Wonderland, where my co-chair and I raised over $16,000 and coordinated an event serving approximately 250 families. The event provided food, crafts, games, dancing, photos with Santa, and toys for military families. Additionally, I serve on the board for the Spouses Dining In event, planning a formal celebration honoring spouses at Offutt AFB. This role has allowed me to reengage skills I had not used in some time, foster creativity, and continue strengthening community relationships through collaborative leadership.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I dedicate my time to the Enlisted Spouses Club, where I found my community and now focus on supporting others navigating the same military spouse journey. I am currently continuing fundraising efforts for the upcoming 33rd Annual Winter Wonderland. In addition, I am educating myself on the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) process so I can better support families facing this transition. Having experienced the process three times with my spouse, I understand the stress and uncertainty it creates, and I strive to be a resource for others. I also support meal trains whenever possible, recognizing how vital they are during high-stress periods. As the Spouses Dining In event approaches, I continue to volunteer in any capacity needed, from coordinating logistics and answering emails to attending planning meetings and assisting with event setup, to help ensure a memorable evening for all spouses at Offutt.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for members is a priority for me. I actively attend Coffee Club, Cookbook Club, walking club, joint Spouses Club events, event-based painting classes, and fitness challenges as opportunities to connect with others and help new members feel seen and included. I make a conscious effort to introduce myself, engage in conversation, and foster a sense of belonging. I also focus on building community within my on-base neighborhood, which I see as the easiest and most effective place to start. Each year, as neighbors change, I intentionally reach out—whether at the park or around the neighborhood—to form friendships, encourage connection, and help new families feel settled. These efforts create meaningful relationships for both adults and children, including friendships for my son.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
I strive to help others build community and engage in activities that bring them joy. I enjoy connecting spouses with opportunities such as book clubs, coffee clubs, quilting groups, and other interest-based activities available on base. While many resources exist, not all spouses feel comfortable reaching out, and I aim to be an advocate who helps them find their place and feel at home. Without community connection, I know I would feel lost—especially given the long hours and night shifts common in my husband’s career field. The friendships I’ve built have shaped who I am today and created a more balanced home life for my family. My advice to others is simple: keep showing up and push through the discomfort. Consistency builds connection, and in time, it truly pays off.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
Throughout my 12 years as a military spouse, my most rewarding experiences have been at my current duty station. I strive to ensure that no spouse feels left behind and value taking the time to listen to others’ stories, finding shared experiences that help build meaningful connections. Recognizing that we never fully know what another spouse is facing, I lead with empathy and intention in my actions each day. My goal is to model thoughtfulness and kindness in a way that creates a positive ripple effect throughout the spouse community.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I want to continue helping others find themselves in a life that can feel lonely at times. Whether it’s meeting a neighbor, forming a new friendship, or introducing others to broader connections, I strive to create pathways for community. While it’s easy to gravitate toward familiar faces, I intentionally remind myself to reach out, get to know new people, and help them feel seen and included. With so many valuable resources available, I want to ensure our community is aware of and able to access them. I am honored to be considered and hope to continue serving in a way that makes my community proud.