SIDNEY — Following hundreds of nominations nationwide and a national vote yielding more than 20,000 votes, Courtney Deady has been named the 2024 Armed Forces Insurance Ohio National Guard Spouse of the Year.

Deady is stationed with her husband, Master Sgt. Jordan Deady, of the 200th Red Horse Squadron, at Camp Perry in Port Clinton but is a Sidney resident and was born and raised there.

She is a 2009 graduate of Fairlawn High School and attended Eastern Kentucky University for special education; DeVry University for a bachelor’s degree in management in sales and marketing; and she is finishing her master’s degree at Bowling Green State University in curriculum and teaching. She teaches media arts through Ohio Hi-Point Career Center at Riverside Local Schools, and she and her husband own two businesses: Mountain Dog Construction and Captivated Photography.

Since holding the 2022 Ohio National Guard Spouse of the Year title, Deady has become deeply involved in the military community, serving as a key volunteer for the 179th AW and leading efforts to enhance the 200th Red Horse Squadron Family Readiness Programs, while also advocating for mental health awareness and suicide prevention through discussions with high-ranking officials and involvement in mentoring programs.

Her commitment extends to supporting families dealing with infertility, miscarriage, adoption, and other challenges, providing educational resources and emotional support as the community support director for Building Military Families Network. Through active participation in events like the Million Mile Project, Ohana Homefront, and Giving Tuesday, as well as engagement in social media outreach, interviews, podcasts, and community discussions, Deady strives to spread awareness, empathy, and practical support for those facing similar struggles within the military and civilian communities.

“Being named 2024 Armed Forces Insurance Ohio National Guard Spouse of the Year has been a tremendous honor, providing me with the platform to amplify the stories of individuals facing infertility and break the stigma surrounding this taboo subject, ultimately offering hope and support to those struggling in both military and civilian communities,” Deady said.

From Dec. 4, 2023, to Jan. 26, 2024, community members nationwide submitted nominations for this prestigious award. Starting at the base level and progressing to the branch and then the overall Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year (AFI MSOY), winners like Deady are celebrated for their military community engagement, leadership, community enhancement efforts, communication skills, and inspiring personal journeys. The ultimate AFI MSOY will be announced on May 9, during a special luncheon in Arlington, Virginia, celebrating National Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

“The Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year award transcends a mere accolade; it represents a vibrant and mission-driven network of military spouse advocates and leaders. As we’ve seen time and again, unity is our greatest strength,” said Lori Simmons, vice president, chief growth and marketing officer at Armed Forces Insurance. “We are thrilled to welcome the 2024 base winners to the AFI MSOY family and work alongside them to make an even bigger impact.”

In its 16th year, Armed Forces Insurance continues to celebrate the commitment of over 1.1 million military spouses nationwide. They acknowledge the remarkable contributions of military spouses across all six branches of the Armed Forces who dedicate themselves to advocacy and produce significant, positive impacts within their communities.

To learn more about Deady and the other base winners, visit www.msoy.afi.org.

About Armed Forces Insurance

Founded in 1887 by military leaders, Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) is dedicated to protecting the property of those who serve our nation. Beyond offering superior property and casualty insurance solutions to military professionals in the United States and abroad, AFI is also the proud owner of the Military Spouse of the Year award program. This program, now recognized as a 501(c)(19) nonprofit organization, honors the dedication, achievements, and contributions of military spouses to their communities and the broader military environment. With an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges faced by its members, Armed Forces Insurance provides an unmatched level of personalized service in the industry. For more information about our insurance solutions and the Military Spouse of the Year program, visit www.afi.org or call 1-800-495-8234. Stay connected with them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.