MSI Spotlight: Theresa Adams
For today’s MSI Spotlight, we’re honored to feature an endlessly positive and resilient Veteran of the United States Navy who continued her service with the National Park Service before becoming a member of the MSI community.
After overcoming six years in a wheelchair, she now lives with simple purpose: make at least one person’s day better each and every day.
Name:
Theresa Adams
Branch of service:
United States Navy
Bio:
Former Air Traffic Controller of the United States Navy, also worked in civil service for the Federal Government at the National Park Service where I was certified in Structural Fire Fighting, Wildland Fire Fighting Fighting, Boat Operations and an array of other duties.
What are you most proud of?:
I overcame being in a wheelchair for 6 long years and the feeling of defeat.
How do you celebrate your happiness and success?:
Just by getting up every day and trying to make the best I can out of it with the intention of trying to make at least one person’s day better in some small way without receiving any sort of recognition at all.
What is something you are currently working towards?:
To complete current leather projects and some I have waiting in the wings I’ve not touched but would really like to accomplish before I depart this realm.
What shows, movies, books, podcasts, games, experiences or other forms of leisure would you recommend for your fellow MSI Sisters?:
The great outdoors, it’s a showcase just waiting to be explored. Our National Parks have so much to be offered especially during the off season when they are less crowded and can be enjoyed to the fullest with so much more depth and more importantly the best outdoor viewing experience for the visitor. Our National treasures are really our showcases of American History and Culture and a learning experience and opportunity for all of us to share and enjoy.
What are your favorite foods?:
Italian, Mexican and Polish
What is one fun fact about you?:
My passion is Native American culture and jewelry.
What does MSI mean to you?:
MSI means the world to me, it opened so much for myself and brought to me two wonderful sisters and friends that also shared and helped me through so much. I have learned so much from them and their experiences, which in return has helped me to grow and create in myself new ways to look at the way I view things and express myself in ways that are much more consistent and positive for my life and in conversations with others that are constructive and supportive and much more meaningful than before. I can paint my pictures with words much clearer than before I think.
Our monthly theme for October is Leaves Are Falling and Books Are Calling. How will you be celebrating?:
I’m praying I’ll be able to capture some beautiful photos of my home area for our sisters to view this month, especially for those that don’t travel to see here in the community.
What words of inspiration do you have for your fellow MSI Sisters?:
Be the inspiration you’d like someone to be to you today...what you say in the first 5 minutes of a conversation with someone can affect their whole day.....please try and make them smile and be kind...you just might be entertaining an Angel...you just never know....now do you?
One of the most important parts of a community, a sisterhood, and a strong and unbreakable friendship is the mutual exchange of stories and experiences. There are many experiences that are unique to who women Veterans are, what they have endured, and survived.
The Military Sisterhood Initiative's goal is to build a community that fights together, laughs together, cries together, and heals together; therefore, we have taken the initiative to tell the stories of women Veterans through our Sister Diaries.
To learn more and to join the Sisterhood, visit www.militarysisterhoodinitiative.org.
