Corina DuBois calls herself a stay-at-home mom, but the Military Spouse of the Year contender’s roles as entrepreneur, fitness franchise owner, promising children’s author and potential foster parent suggest there’s more to the story.
The Silver Spring mother of three is the sole Washington area finalist for Military Spouse magazine’s second annual award, which recognizes one military spouse nationwide for patriotism, professionalism and humanity.
DuBois, a Navy veteran, was nominated by her husband, Harold, a commander with Naval District Washington.
“It was a huge surprise. . . . I was really touched when I read his nominating essay,” DuBois said. Her husband’s nomination effort was especially significant because he was on a nine-month deployment to Iraq at the time, she said.
Judges chose DuBois this fall as one of 10 Spouse of the Year finalists from the Navy. People can vote online for one candidate from each of the armed services’ five branches. The branch winners will compete for the military-wide Spouse of the Year title in the spring.
Besides being a mother to three children — Holden, 4, Nolan, 3, and Cole, 5 months — DuBois is the founder of the Internet company Celebrate Mama!, which offers marketing and event-planning assistance for mothers and mom-owned businesses nationwide.
“By providing . . . a national company that reaches out to other families, I feel as if I can make change here at home while my husband serves to build strong communities elsewhere,” DuBois said.
Screenshot from Celebrate Mama!