Sharaya Woodwick

Share your military spouse story:
I have been a military spouse for 16 years and married to my husband for 17, and together we are raising three wonderful children. Our life has carried us from England to California and now Utah, each move shaped by service, sacrifice, and love. We have endured three deployments and nearly twenty TDYs—times filled with missed milestones, lonely nights, and learning how to be strong for our children while holding space for absence. Through it all, I have found profound connection in the military spouse community, where shared experiences turn strangers into family and quiet understanding speaks louder than words. While this life is not easy, it has given me deep pride and purpose. I strive to serve others by noticing unspoken needs and offering support, because military spouses know we do not walk this journey alone—we carry one another. 💙

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
During our time in California, I had the opportunity to serve with the local Airman’s Attic and later manage the program at Hill AFB. I was honored to serve as the Airman’s Attic Manager for three and a half years, overseeing daily operations and coordinating a variety of support initiatives, including food and diaper distributions. In this role, I worked alongside a team of approximately 15 volunteers and assisted with emergency situations as they arose, ensuring resources were available to Airmen and their families when needed. After concluding my time as manager, I transitioned into a greater role as the Key Support Liaison for the 388 OSS, where I continue to support and advocate for the spouses within my husband’s squadron.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I am honored to represent my husband’s squadron as one of two Key Support Liaisons, serving as a bridge between the military mission and the homefront. In this role, we work to foster greater involvement, meaningful connection, and increased opportunities for social engagement among spouses. We recognize that strong relationships and a supportive community play an important role in sustaining morale on the homefront, and we are committed to strengthening those connections.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
During our time at Beale Air Force Base in California, I was honored to participate in the unification of the Officer Spouses Club and Enlisted Spouses Club to form the Beale Spouses Club. Bringing these groups together and helping to remove unnecessary barriers was both meaningful and rewarding. Since arriving at Hill AFB, I have continued to focus on identifying and supporting the needs of spouses and families by helping provide food, clothing, resources, and encouragement. Serving our military families in this way has been deeply fulfilling and remains one of the most meaningful aspects of my life, alongside raising my children.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
At the beginning of our military journey in England, our family experienced financial hardship, including challenges with food insecurity — an experience shared by many military families. Those early struggles shaped my commitment to ensuring that families have access to essential resources and support. Since then, my goal has been to help ensure that no military family goes without basic needs such as food. I firmly believe that, through collective effort and community partnership, we can reduce and ultimately eliminate food insecurity within the military community.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
I have had the opportunity to support and participate in numerous food distribution initiatives during my time managing the Hill Airman’s Attic. Since transitioning out of that role, I have remained committed to increasing awareness of this vital resource and its impact on military families. To further that effort, I have been interviewed by both the base Public Affairs office and the local KSL news network to highlight food insecurity and available support services for military members and their families. I remain dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for these resources until food insecurity within the military community is eliminated.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As with my nomination last year, the greatest gift was the opportunity to connect with spouses from every branch of the military. Hearing their stories, learning about their challenges, and gaining insight into the resources supporting their communities was deeply meaningful. While not every idea could be brought back to my home base, those conversations broadened my perspective and strengthened my commitment to serving others. I would be honored to have the opportunity again—to continue learning from fellow spouses, growing in understanding, and becoming a more well-rounded advocate for the community that means so much to me