At GetSidekicks we were excited to have the opportunity to spend time with Evie King, the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year for 2023. Her military spouse story began with a deployment and grew into a journey of resilience and leadership. Evie’s dedication to wellness resources and community connection has propelled her to become a driving force in advocating for the well-being of military spouses. In this interview, Evie shares her story, her leadership experience, and her initiatives aimed at empowering military spouses. Get ready to be inspired by her passion and commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those who serve alongside their military partners. We hope you enjoy the Q&A session just as much as we do!
Shelly: Evie, congratulations on being named the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year! Can you share with us a bit about your military spouse story and how it all began?
Evie: Thank you so much! My military spouse story began in college when a fellow student asked me out on a date a few months before he graduated. At the time, I didn’t think much about his involvement in ROTC, but I knew what it was because both of my parents served in the Army. We briefly dated before he went off to his post-college training, and we didn’t start dating again until several months later. During that time, he was a member of the New Jersey National Guard, and many of the soldiers were being deployed to Iraq. Despite not fully understanding what it meant, we decided to stay together while he deployed.
It was a challenging nine months for me, as I had just started my first post-college career in Ohio, and I didn’t have many connections with other military families going through the same deployment. However, our relationship grew during that time, and we found ways to connect and get to know each other even from a distance. Little did I know that it would lead to an incredible adventure.
My spouse deployed three times in five years and I navigated the first two without any connection to the military community. It was tough at times, especially without a strong support network, but it made me realize the importance of wellness resources and community connections.
Shelly: It’s inspiring to hear how your relationship thrived despite the challenges of deployment. Can you tell us about your leadership experience within the military community?
Evie: Certainly! I have the privilege of serving as the president of the nonprofit organization InDependent. When I joined the organization in 2016, I had the opportunity to explore and develop my professional and personal skills in various ways, many of which were entirely new to me. This freedom to explore had a significant impact on my sense of purpose and self-worth, and as the current president, I strive to cultivate a similar sense of exploration and curiosity within the team.
At InDependent, we offer professional volunteer positions that provide military spouses with opportunities to develop and enhance their skills. Through trial and error, I’ve learned the importance of creating policies and practices that support respectful and open feedback while also prioritizing the well-being of our team through healthy digital boundaries. As a nonprofit organization, we prioritize and promote wellness within the military spouse community, starting with our own team and celebrating progress rather than demanding perfection.
Shelly: Your involvement in the military community is impressive. How do you support your community, and what initiatives have you been involved in?
Evie: I’ve served as a Family Readiness Group Leader, volunteered with Operation Homefront and the USO, and even taught Master Resilience Training. Currently, I lead a team at InDependent, focusing on mind, body, community, and purpose. We create programs tailored to military spouses’ unique challenges and needs, providing education and connecting them with relevant resources.
Shelly: Your dedication to supporting military spouses is truly commendable. How do you spread the message of your platform and advocacy?
Evie: I spread our message and advocacy through various channels. We publish informative articles, covering topics relevant to military spouses, and I am often invited on podcasts. Collaborating with organizations and experts helps us expand our reach, and our active presence on social media platforms allows us to share valuable content, resources, and updates while fostering a supportive community. I engage in conversations with civilian partners and military organizations to raise awareness of barriers to well-being that military spouses face and inform them of available resources. My goal is to make a positive impact by engaging military spouses, advocating for their needs, and driving meaningful change that addresses our diverse community.
Shelly: With the honor of being named the AFI Military Spouse of the Year, what do you hope to accomplish with this title?
Evie: As the 2023 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year, I’m determined to shine a spotlight on the pressing need for health and wellness resources within our military spouse community. Our diverse and ever-changing community deserves resources that truly reflect our unique experiences. I also want to bring data-informed solutions to the table when engaging with organizations and military leaders.
Shelly: Your dedication and advocacy for military spouse wellness are truly inspiring. What are you most excited about in the near future?
Evie: I am thrilled about the upcoming InDependent Wellness Summit: Rediscover You later this year! We have been planning it with great enthusiasm, and Session 1 in September will have a significant focus on parenting across all ages and all kinds of caregiving relationships. Our goal is to provide military spouses with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to navigate the complexities of childcare and caregiving.
During the week, we will bring together experts, professionals, and experienced military spouses to share their insights, tips, and strategies on how to incorporate wellness into being a parent, and parent/child relationships. It’s an exciting opportunity to address a critical aspect of military family wellness and ensure that our community has the support it needs to thrive.
Military spouses will be able to sign up for free via our website https://www.in-dependent.org/wellness-summit in August once registration opens.
Evie’s journey as a military spouse and her tireless dedication to the well-being of others is truly awe-inspiring. From her own experiences, she has recognized the importance of wellness resources and community support for military families. Through her leadership at InDependent and various initiatives, she has worked diligently to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth, foster connections, and spread awareness of the unique challenges faced by military spouses. Evie’s advocacy and commitment to driving meaningful change have made a lasting impact on countless lives. As the 2023 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year, Evie continues to champion the cause of military spouse wellness, leaving an indelible mark on the military community. Her unwavering passion and dedication serve as an inspiration for us all to support and uplift those who selflessly support our nation’s service members.
Thank you, Evie for all that you do!
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