REAL MOMS OF THE METRO Awesome Moms More than 60 metro moms were nominated for our annual Awesome Moms contest, and we are inspired by the stories of each and every one. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Stephanie Moore, and our two finalists, Krystle Curry and Julie Cockroft. Thanks to everyone who submitted nominations this year! Celebrate the stories of all of our nominees by visiting metrofamilymagazine.com/2022-awesome-moms. Thank you to our Awesome Mom prize sponsors: Wyndham Grand Hotel, The Spa at 10 North, Redrock Canyon Grill, Mama Roja, Hefner Grill, Upper Crust Wood Fired Pizza, Sweet Pickle, Vellabox, L’OCCITANE en Provence and Dune Jewelry & Co.
BY ERIN PAGE
WINNER Stephanie Moore As a child, Stephanie Moore remembers being taught the importance of kindness and looking for those who need help. She’s lived that lesson since. Now the mom of five teaches her kids, both through her words and her example, to treat others well because you never know what other people are going through. Stephanie served in the United States Army from 2001 to 2010, retiring as a Staff Sergeant and combat medic after being stationed in Louisiana, Korea and Colorado and serving two deployments to Iraq. “I learned I’m a lot stronger than what I may have thought,” said Stephanie. “It also made me realize how important family is.” For the first six years of her oldest son’s life, Stephanie was often away, either in the field or training. That experience strengthened her motherly resolve to be available to her kids as much as possible, encouraging them and always telling them how proud she is of them. Her time in the service taught her another valuable lesson: “It sounds selfish but sometimes you have to take care of yourself so you can be a better person for [your kids].” Stephanie has PTSD, and, through prioritizing her own mental and physical health, she is a shining example of a mom whose intentionality in caring for herself is making a life-long positive impact on her children. A member of the Muscogee Nation, Stephanie says she comes from strong people, but she’s realized sometimes strength means asking for help. “Sometimes it takes us [veterans] a bit to get help because there was always that saying that if you get help you aren’t as strong,” said Stephanie. “We’re finally realizing that in getting help we are stronger.”
PHOTOS BY C. MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY AND PROVIDED
26 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAY-JUNE 2022
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