Matilyn Sommerfeldt

Share your military spouse story:
Being a Navy spouse has required a kind of strength that is rarely visible. It has meant navigating deployments, constant change, and long periods of uncertainty while maintaining stability at home. Like many military spouses, I learned how to carry emotional weight quietly, supporting my service member while often setting my own needs aside. Living with chronic illness while walking this journey added another layer of isolation. There were moments when my battles were invisible, but no less consuming. I know what it feels like to need support and not know where to turn. Instead of allowing those experiences to silence me, they shaped my purpose. My military spouse story is one of resilience, service, and choosing to turn personal hardship into advocacy so others feel seen, supported, and understood.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
Leadership, to me, has never been a title, it has been a responsibility. As a Navy spouse, I learned early that leadership often happens quietly, behind the scenes, when families are struggling and no one is watching. I lead by showing up consistently, listening deeply, and responding with action when needs arise. Through nonprofit partnerships and community initiatives, I have created and supported programs that serve military families during moments of uncertainty, separation, and hardship. I have coordinated holiday giving efforts for dozens of families, supported parents through deployments, and advocated for spouses navigating invisible battles. I lead with empathy because I understand the weight military families carry. My goal has always been to create spaces where people feel supported, dignified, and never alone, because that is the kind of leadership military life demands.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
In 2025, I was actively involved in multiple initiatives designed to support military families during some of their most vulnerable seasons. Through my work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, I helped bring moments of joy and hope to families facing life-altering circumstances. I founded and led a holiday sponsorship program that served over 70 local families, ensuring children experienced dignity, love, and stability during the holidays. I also partnered with Operation Childcare Project to provide deployment photo sessions, preserving meaningful memories during periods of separation. Each effort was rooted in compassion and a deep understanding of military family life.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
The moments that best reflect my impact are rarely public, but they are deeply personal. A spouse reaching out late at night because they finally feel safe enough to ask for help. A parent watching their child receive a holiday gift with relief instead of worry. A family standing together during a deployment photo session, holding onto connection during separation. I am intentional about building inclusive spaces where every military spouse, regardless of rank, background, health, or circumstance, feels welcome. I advocate openly for mental health, accessibility, and self-care, especially for those navigating invisible illness. Inclusion means ensuring no one feels forgotten, and that commitment has shaped every initiative I lead.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy focuses on supporting military spouses, particularly those living with chronic illness, mental health challenges, or caregiving responsibilities. As a Navy spouse managing chronic illness myself, I understand how isolating military life can feel when your struggles are not visible or easily understood. There were seasons when simply getting through the day required strength, yet support felt out of reach. That experience fuels my advocacy. I speak openly about self-care, mental health, and the reality that military spouses are not immune to burnout or exhaustion. I advocate so others know their pain is valid, their needs matter, and they deserve support, not silence.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach centers on connection, storytelling, and trust. I use social media, community partnerships, and events to raise awareness and create spaces where military spouses feel safe sharing their experiences. By combining advocacy with action, through fundraising initiatives, collaborative programs, and hands-on community support, I ensure outreach leads to tangible impact. My approach is intentional and inclusive, prioritizing accessibility and authenticity over visibility alone. Through consistent engagement, I strive to meet families where they are and remind them that support exists, even in the most isolating seasons of military life.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected, I hope to use the AFI Military Spouse of the Year® platform to amplify voices often overlooked, especially military spouses navigating chronic illness, mental health challenges, and isolation. This title would allow me to expand advocacy efforts, strengthen partnerships, and bring visibility to the quiet sacrifices military families make every day. More importantly, I want spouses to see themselves reflected in this role. I want them to know their strength matters, their stories matter, and they are worthy of care, recognition, and support. This platform would not change my mission, it would magnify it.