The Unique Perspective of Military Spouses
The Unique Perspective of Military Spouses
It’s time to amplify the voice of each military spouse. The life of a military spouse can change with little to no notice. Access to resources such as healthcare, education, and housing are vital. Also vital to military spouses, are the attention of those who serve in public office.
I recently attended a presentation hosted by Homefront Rising and Secure Families Initiative. The presentation was a robust collection of information and tools. It was an impressive example of how invaluable military spouse perspectives are to our military community.
Homefront Rising
The presentation by Homefront Rising is an account rich in perspectives of the journey to the 19th Amendment – Women’s Right to Vote.
What makes the presentation special is that it provides an overview of where we came from as well as what we still need to do.
The organization works to encourage and train military spouses to serve in public office at local and national levels.
Why? They manage military family households. So much of their lives are decided by people that serve in office: where they live, when their spouse is able to come home, who their health care providers are …. People who are most directly impacted by decisions should be included in the decision-making. This will ensure the most positive impact on military communities.
“…we also need members of our own community among the elected officials making decisions that affect it. It is time for the home front to rise! It will no longer just be “call your representative” – military spouses will be the representatives! “
– Mary Reding, Cofounder Homefront Rising
Secure Families Initiative
The presentation by Secure Families Initiative is a wealth of information towards ensuring voting access for the military community. Whether you are stationed out of the country or temporarily living outside your home state, they provide information for you to have your voice heard.
This group of military spouses work towards encouraging other military spouses to vote and advocate. They provide instruction for all members of the military community. They also provide advocacy training for military spouses.
“We understand better than anyone the consequences that decisions over war and peace have here on the home front. We are ready to make our voices heard.”
– from Secure Families Initiative mission
Calls to Action:
- Register to vote and encourage everyone around you in the military community to do the same. Visit https://securefamiliesinitiative.org/?page_id=18 to get started.
- Encourage military spouses (and everyone for that matter) to use their voice by voting, supporting candidates of their choice, and serving in the office at any level. Visit https://www.msjdn.org/homefront-rising/ to view the rich presentation of our history and our path forward.
- The third ask is directed to residents of Michigan.
Michigan has introduced Bills 117 and 297 to help active service members exercise their right to vote using online voting. This is great news, but the great news doesn’t include their spouses and of-age dependents. Please visit https://securefamiliesinitiative.org/, scroll down to “Take Action”. You will find “Tell Michigan: Help Military Spouses Vote Too!”. Take a look and consider signing the petition.
Homefront Rising and Secure Families Initiative, in such a great way, honor the work of courageous women who came before us. They look forward and empower military spouses.
