Meet our Finalist Nominees 

Diana

Branch of Military: Army

Years Served: 2015-2018

When Diana’s friend Alyssa nominated her, she had this to say. "I would describe Diana as an extreme extrovert. Everyone she meets is always drawn to her light. She is an adventurer to say the least, anything high intensity that gives you an adrenaline rush, she’s all over it. From skydiving to snowboarding this girl has done it!"

Diana was born in Korea, is 29 years old and from Wichita Falls, TX. She excelled at a variety of sports in high school including jujitsu. After high school, Diana started working for a non-profit company called P.E.T.S, which is a low-income spay and neuter clinic that her best friend opened. After working there for a few years, she decided to join the military. The military brought her to Clarksville, Tennessee, where she has since purchased her first home and spent the last 4 years.

Diana served in the Army at Fort Campbell and her job title was diesel mechanic. She’s always fixing or building something, never afraid to make a mistake, and she never stops until it’s right. She is a lover of animals, very eco-conscious and she would give anyone the shirt off her back.

Justine

Branch of Military: Army

Years Served: 2002-2011

Justine’s nominator, Shannon, described her as a "Minnesota girl, through and through." She loves her hotdish, playing hockey, camping, hiking and ice fishing. During her first year of college, Justine joined the Army Reserve to serve her country, like her grandfather did in WWII. She was deployed to Kuwait, and shortly thereafter the Iraq War started so she and her fellow soldiers quickly went north to Iraq.

Between deployments, Justine focused on completing the pre-requisite education for acceptance into nursing school. Upon returning home in 2009, she finished her nursing degree and has worked as a Registered Nurse, on the trauma unit, since 2010. She also volunteers for Honor Flight, bringing Veterans to D.C. to see their memorial, and for Team Rubicon assisting with disaster relief. Justine’s intelligence, compassion, work ethic and zest for life is contagious.

In 2005 Justine spent nine weeks studying abroad in Costa Rica, where she quickly fell in love with the language, people and culture. She has been dreaming about returning to Costa Rica ever since.

Kristen

Branch of Military: Marines

Years Served: 2011-2015

Kristen (or Sebby, as everyone calls her) has lived many places - from the west coast in San Diego to Big Bear Mountain to Nashville, Tennessee. Sebby served in the Marine Corps from 2011 to 2015 where she worked as a Ground Electronics Technician primarily at Camp Pendleton, fixing all the electronics that the Corps used for communications on the ground. Phones, computers, radios - if they were broken, Sebby could fix them.

After completing her time in the Marines, Sebby was an area supervisor for the Morongo Basin Community Response Team, which organized relief efforts in the event of a disaster. She has worked ski-patrol and last year, backpacked across Spain.

'Ms. Sebby' currently works as a teacher In Nashville and is well-loved by all the children, staff and parents. Her nominator Melissa says, "I don't think she realizes what an impact she has on everyone around her. She deserves this... I mean I'm not sure what's harder, Camp Pendleton or teaching small kids. OORAH!"

 Leslie

Branch of Military: Navy

Years Served: 2008-2016

Leslie is an Emergency Room Physician, who grew up in Iowa with her Chilean mother and describes herself as "the weird kid who spoke Spanish."

She joined the Navy as a way to serve her country and also to help pay for college and medical school. Stationed in San Diego, she met her husband and they eloped before she was deployed overseas.

She spent 8 years in the Navy, deploying with the USMC to Afghanistan and leading a Shock Trauma Platoon. This experience taught her to appreciate life and all the world has to offer. She currently lives in Omaha working as a full-time ER doctor and raising two young children with her husband.

In Leslie’s own words, "Women are beautiful and amazing beings, capable of more than society gives us credit for."

Lindsay 

Branch of Military: Army

Years served: 2007-2016

Lindsay was born in the Southern United States and moved all throughout her life. Her mother was a Nurse Midwife and her father had a Forestry Degree and worked in the timber industry. Lindsay earned her degree and played soccer in college. In the midst of her parents’ divorce, Lindsay soon joined the military.

As a result of her time in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with other traumatizing life experiences, Lindsay developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. "I've learned to cope and work through my traumas, and recently had my first baby girl, which has humbled me and brought me new meaning in life. Although I've been through so much in my life, it has evolved me into the amazingly humbled warrior I am today to be strong for my baby girl and my faith that has kept me strong."

During Lindsay's two tours to Iraq and Afghanistan she used her leave time to visit Italy and New Zealand. She explains that her drive for photography, art and culture led her to see the other sides of what most would not see in a time of war. "I have a mission to show America the side of war and other world places, and the beauty that isn't talked about or shown."

Melody

Branch of Military: Air Force

Years Served: 2002-2006

Melody joined the military in her late twenties with the purpose of really understanding her strengths and weaknesses. She describes wanting to be a part of something bigger than herself. For over 4 years she was a Flight Engineer on HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters doing combat search and rescue in Iraq, Afghanistan and Hurricane Katrina. When Melody left the Air Force, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in digital art and design.

After years of working up the corporate ladder, Melody discovered the emptiness that often comes with corporate capitalism. She turned her attention to her local community and to service. Melody now works at a company that allows her the opportunity to work with non-profit agencies and low-income schools. In her spare time she transforms propane and air compressor tanks into beautifully resonating drums. Melody comes with a heart of gratitude, a competitive spirit and a personal dedication to growth and to helping others grow.

"I think it is important for strong women to come together and strengthen and encourage each other and to also lead by example. Breaking down stereotypical barriers and throwing out life-lines to each other in the smallest of ways, can make the biggest unforeseen differences in our everyday lives."

Morgan 

Branch of Military: Army

Years Served: 2015-Present

Morgan was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Her family was musically-focused and though Morgan was expected to follow that path, she felt her calling was public service. After September 11th, inspired by the first-responders, she decided to become a police officer.

Morgan served the City of Nashville for 10 years as a police officer and after moving to New England with her wife, Kimber, and their son, Adeel, she spent the last 4 years serving as a soldier in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. As a police officer, Morgan was the youngest woman in Nashville ever to reach to the rank of Lieutenant.

Currently, she is one of a very small number of women who serve in the Field Artillery and was recently promoted to gunner, which is rarely held by a female soldier. Morgan spends most of her free time with her dogs, at the gym and loves outworking all of the “young pups” as she calls them, in her National Guard unit.

While serving in the military she has been awarded numerous medals for superior performance; and most recently represented her battalion as Soldier of the Year in the Massachusetts Best Warrior Competition- again, a slot never held by a female in the field artillery.

Tina

Branch of Military: Army

Years Served: 1999-2004

Tina grew up in San Diego and later moved with her family to Montana. Tina served in the Army from 1999 to 2004. She was nominated by her friend Melissa who says “Tina has a purpose to serve, and is most fulfilled by having a mission, which is the result of her training in the military. She is continually serving others in need.” After her time in the Army, Tina studied non-profit administration at the University of Montana and graduated in 2014. Tina has worked as a social worker in Montana, focusing on the needs of children. Volunteer, work and social activities bring her to the cities, but if Tina had it her way, she would always be on the river.

In her free time, Tina volunteers at a Washington state nonprofit that mentors incarcerated veterans to reduce their recidivism. She also recently volunteered for “Hurricane Michael” disaster relief in Panama City, Florida, and is working to create opportunities locally to serve the under-represented female veteran community. Tina has such a generous heart, that she oftentimes puts her needs and her outdoor adventures aside. She loves to fish, camp, and be on the river in Montana, however the last couple of years has really seen a reduction in her wilderness time. “I think her spark could use restoring or re-invigorating by spending time on an adventure that gives back to her and fills her cup up so she can continue volunteering in such a high capacity and quality,” says Melissa.

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