Episode #16

Amy Horton

Episode Title:

Honoring Women's Stories: Amy Horton and the Military Women’s Memorial

Episode Description:

In this episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with Amy Horton, Virginia’s ambassador to the Military Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. Amy shares her incredible journey from enlisting in the Oregon Army National Guard at 17 to becoming a professor, attorney, and passionate advocate for preserving the stories of women in the military. Through her work, Amy is ensuring that the contributions of military women—past and present—are honored and remembered. Her story is one of resilience, service, and reinvention, making this episode a must-listen for anyone who believes in the power of storytelling and the impact of women in history.

Key Discussion Points:

  • (01:47) Amy’s early inspiration: Growing up in a military family and enlisting at 17.

  • (04:53) Her love for storytelling and journalism, which began in childhood.

  • (06:31) Reinvention: How Amy transitioned from the military to law and academia.

  • (07:35) Discovering the Military Women’s Memorial and why it resonated so deeply.

  • (09:41) The importance of capturing and preserving the stories of military women.

  • (12:07) How Amy continues to serve beyond the uniform and her role as an ambassador.

  • (19:26) The role of storytelling in shaping identity and legacy.

  • (21:54) The power of self-talk and lessons learned through life’s challenges.

  • (30:53) Loving yourself first: How self-care leads to greater service to others.

  • (47:16) Advice to young dreamers and the importance of nurturing their passions.

Notable Quotes:

·         “I never stopped serving. I just found new ways to do it.” – Amy Horton

·         “Women’s stories matter. We need to stop downplaying our achievements.” – April Kemp

·         “You don’t have to wait for someone to validate your dream. It’s yours to chase.” – Amy Horton

·         “The world always makes way for the dreamer.” – April Kemp

 

Takeaways:

·         The Military Women’s Memorial serves as a crucial space for honoring women’s contributions in the armed forces.

·         Reinvention is part of every woman’s journey—embrace change and growth.

·         Telling our own stories is powerful; we need to encourage women to document and share their achievements.

·         Self-talk matters—how we speak to ourselves impacts our ability to pursue and achieve our dreams.

·         Success is personal. Define it for yourself and never downplay your achievements.

Connect with Amy Horton & the Military Women’s Memorial:

• LinkedIn: Amy Horton
• Email (Ambassador for Military Women’s Memorial): mwm.amb.va1@gmail.com
• Website for the Military Women’s Memorial: https://womensmemorial.org/
• Follow the Military Women’s Memorial on Instagram: [@womensmemorial]

Connect with Us:

• Follow April Kemp on Instagram: [@fanaticaldreamher]
• Stay updated on new episodes of Fanatical DreamHer: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/
• Contact April: april@fanaticaldreamher.com

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