Kelly Glanzmann

Share your military spouse story:
My husband and I met in college, and dated the full four years. When he enlisted, we decided to break up, I did not want to be a military spouse (obviously going well for me lol) He was stationed in Okinawa, and I moved across the country to "start a new life" by myself. After 4 years apart, he reached out. 2 months later, in April, I flew to Japan to be with him. In June we explored Thailand for 3.5 weeks. In November we were engaged, and December we eloped. 6.5 years, and two babies, later we're still just as in love as we ever were. In November 2024 we lost our third baby, Cameron Claire in a second trimester loss. After working through that heart breaking loss, Chris pushed me to find something that I enjoyed doing outside of motherhood. That's what started KG Photography. I needed a creative outlet, and if it weren't for my husbands support, I wouldn't have found that.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
After founding my photography business, I started working on Parris Island. Being hired by families to take photos during boot camp family day and graduation. After working with a family, I learned about the Private Peppers organization. An organization that provides food, phones, chargers, and community for Marines that do not have family present for family day and graduation. I reached out to them, and offered to take the Marines portraits for free- while also providing them with photos of their family day and graduation ceremony. It hit me that these Marines wouldn't have any photographic memories of their time at boot camp, and while I'm sure they're excited to leave Parris Island, I'm also sure they'll want memories of their time there. So I take their portraits, and their ceremony photos, and their platoon numbers. Then I try to find all the Marines during Pass & Review so they have personalized ceremony photos as well. I've brought in other photographer spouses to do this too.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
Private Peppers MSA Photography group of Marine spouses/veterans

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Another spouse had come to me explaining that with raising taxes, they were struggling to make ends meet. She couldn't get a full time job because of child care. I mentored her in photography, and she shadowed me as a photographer for Parris Island boot camp graduations. She's now able to pull in a steady income with that money, and help provide for her family. I will be mentoring another military spouse in the same way in February, and hopefully I can help someone else before we PCS again

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
I firmly believe that there is room for everyone at the table. Military spouses take a special kind of strength to be, but everyone needs someone. I work really hard to build a community around me of women who uplift one another, help each other, take kids for another mom, and who parent my own kids just like I would. I will always work to lift up another spouse, in any capacity that I can

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I attend MSA events, and reach spouses there. Advertise on my Instagram, reach out to parents on the Parris Island fb pages. I work with Merrianne, the president of MSA here in Beaufort to reach out to spouses in need. I've also spoken at several MSA events held in Beaufort to help spouses find something for them outside of motherhood

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
Honestly, I'm not sure. I always hope to help spouses find their joy outside of motherhood, something that is for them and them alone. I always help spouses who are moms with supplies or babysitting. I always try to help spouses find other ways of income if they need or want it. Hopefully, this title can provide more resources to do all of those things for even more spouses. That would be the real goal. To have more resources, and to help more spouses