From Dreams to Degrees: One Scholarship Recipient’s Story
When Cathy Ann Ivory reflects upon the day she received NMFA’s Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship, she recalls a season of transition that tested her family’s resilience. They had just made a PCS move from Georgia to Virginia, leaving behind the comfort of a manageable cost of living for a place where everything felt more expensive. This PCS also meant shifting from a two-income household to just one.
“At the time, I didn’t have a job, and there was so much uncertainty,” she recalls. “As a nurse pursuing further education, I carried a lot of guilt because I wasn’t contributing financially while also taking on student loans, which felt overwhelming.”
Cathy Ann’s scholarship was awarded at just the right time. “It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders,” she says. “It wasn’t just financial support; it gave me reassurance that I wasn’t alone in this journey, that there were people who believed in and supported military spouses like me. It meant I could focus on my education without feeling like I was taking even more away from my family.”
That support carried Cathy Ann through her master’s degree in nursing and the process of becoming licensed as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Today, she works in pediatrics, where she has the opportunity to care for children and military families every day. “My education gave me the skills, confidence, and credentials to step into this role. Now I’m able to care for kids and families like mine, which feels full circle considering the support I received as a military spouse pursuing my degree.”
The scholarship also created opportunities far beyond tuition assistance. Through her relationship with NMFA, Cathy Ann connected with advocates who encouraged her educational journey and even offered to help find a preceptor for her clinicals. She also met other members of the military family community who later became mentors. “For me, the scholarship wasn’t just about the money; it was about the people I met and the support that carried me forward,” she says.
Her journey as a military spouse continues to shape how she approaches her role as a Family Nurse Practitioner. “Being part of the military family community has taught me not to be judgmental and to treat people with compassion and empathy, because you never really know what someone is going through,” she explains. “As a military wife, I’ve seen firsthand the stress of deployments, constant moves, and uncertainty. That experience reminds me to meet every patient where they are, with understanding and care.”
Looking ahead, Cathy Ann is focused on building confidence in her new role while keeping long-term dreams in sight. She hopes to one day pursue a doctorate and perhaps open her own practice. Personally, she wants to provide stability for her family and show her daughter that it is possible to keep working toward your goals, even when life feels unpredictable.
Her advice for other military spouses considering higher education is simple: start now. “Military life will always bring change and unpredictability,” she says. “Waiting for the right moment only holds you back. Start now, even if it feels hard, because every step forward is an investment in yourself. You’ll be proud that you did.”
Cathy Ann Ivory’s story is a powerful reminder of how the Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship can change lives. The impact stretches far beyond graduation, inspiring families, strengthening communities, and proving that when military spouses are supported, everyone in the community thrives.
Are you looking to further your education or career through NMFA’s Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship? Apply today!
By: Olivia Brinsfield, Content Manager
