River Lopez

Share your military spouse story:
From my earliest years in the military spouse community, I learned that while military life runs on mission and discipline, family life often depends on resilience, adaptability, and the strength of spouses. Across multiple branches and duty stations, I saw the same pattern repeat itself. Spouses were expected to navigate hurdles largely on their own, even though their well-being directly shapes the strength of the force. That shifted how I showed up in this community, not just as a participant but as someone committed to making it better. What began as involvement became purpose. I stepped into leadership and advocacy because every military spouse deserves to feel seen, informed, and supported, regardless of branch, background, or circumstance. No two families share the same story, but all deserve connection and belonging. Today, my work centers on building grassroots, sustainable community spaces where military spouses are not just resilient but empowered.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
My leadership within the military spouse community has never come from being appointed. It came from seeing unmet needs and choosing to step forward. I am a trailblazer by nature, leading through authenticity, action, and a willingness to build what does not yet exist. As President of the Community Club of Lewis-McChord, I guide intentional programs and meaningful partnerships that support military families across Joint Base Lewis-McChord. I work closely with installation leadership, nonprofits, and volunteer teams to ensure initiatives are inclusive, sustainable, and identify the real needs of spouses. Beyond formal roles, I serve as a connector and advocate, mentoring new leaders, creating pathways for spouse involvement, and helping translate community needs into action. My leadership is built by trust, transparency, and the belief that when spouses are empowered, the entire military community is stronger. I have proudly given thousands of hours of service to the JBLM community.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
My involvement is centered around meeting families where they are and creating access where it does not yet exist. Through the ADC’s Military Spouse Leadership Initiative and Community Club of Lewis-McChord, I am actively engaged in programs that support spouses, children, and families across JBLM. When long waitlists left children without summer programs, I created a Girl Scout troop so they could experience belonging, leadership, and normalcy. I continue to support military connected Girl Scouts, including building community and opportunity all year long. One of my favorite roles is serving as a JBLM Special Olympics coach. Under CCLM, I have helped create and expand programs such as a career closet and a community resource hub that support spouses in both their personal and professional lives. My involvement is not limited to one program or population. It is a commitment to supporting military families at every stage of their journey. I don’t just step in, I step up every time.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
I build community by paying attention to who is being left out and then creating space for them to belong. Some spouses arrive confident and connected. Many arrive overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure where they fit. I make it my role to notice the second group. Whether it is a new spouse walking into their first event, a military parent navigating childcare and work, or a home based business owner struggling to be seen, I work to remove barriers and open doors. I connect people to each other, to resources, and to opportunities that allow them to participate fully in military life. My approach is centered around respect and dignity. I do not believe anyone should have to prove they are worthy of community. When spouses feel welcomed, supported, and valued, they are more likely to step forward themselves. That is how strong, inclusive military communities are built.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My primary advocacy focus is ensuring that military spouses have access to clear information, meaningful opportunities, and systems that actually work for families. Too often, support depends on who you know, where you are stationed, or how confident you feel asking for help. That reality creates unnecessary barriers for spouses who are already navigating PCS moves, career disruption, and family transitions. My connection to this work is deeply personal. Having lived across multiple branches and installations, I have experienced firsthand how uneven and informal spouse support can be. I saw talented, capable spouses struggle simply because the right resources or connections were not visible or accessible. That never sat well with me. I became an advocate not just for individuals, but for better systems. I work to transform policies, programs, and community resources into pathways that spouses can actually use, so no one is left behind simply because they did not know where to look.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My outreach is built by honesty and courage. I am not afraid to name the hard things, because real progress only happens when people feel safe telling the truth. Military spouses carry a lot quietly, and I work to create spaces where their voices can be heard in a way that creates real change. Through focus groups, collaborative forums, and community conversations, I have built pathways for spouses to speak directly about quality of life issues at JBLM and to help shape the solutions. I believe change works best when it is created by the people who live it, not imposed on them. Whether I am engaging leadership, partnering with organizations, or working with families one on one, my goal is to ensure military spouses are not just informed but included. I communicate to amplify lived experience, build trust, and turn shared barriers into collaborative action.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
With the AFI Military Spouse of the Year platform, I hope to create clear, accessible pathways to success for all military spouses. No one should have to guess how to get involved, find support, or step into leadership. I want spouses to feel invited into their own potential. I hope to inspire others to become the person they wish they had on their first day as a military spouse. I know what it is like to feel disconnected, unseen, and unsure where you belong. I have lived that version of this life, and I know that same person exists in someone else right now. My goal is to be a servant leader my community can trust to advocate fiercely, listen deeply, and turn shared challenges into real, solution driven change so every military spouse knows they are needed here. I hope to inspire others to step up and create change for their communities, because we are all truly capable of creating real, lasting impact for ourselves, our neighbors, and future military spouses.