Video: 2025 Deborah Sampson Award: Ashley Booker
Skip this video 2025 Deborah Sampson Award: Ashley Booker.About Ashley Booker
Ashley Booker in bootcamp
Ashley Booker enlisted in the United States Navy two days after graduating from high school. She enlisted under the 2 by 4 contract, as a Damage Controlman, beginning a journey in service to the country.
Ashley served during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, contributing to a pivotal moment in U.S. and world history. Her first assignment was aboard the USS Puget Sound (AD-38), a destroyer tender stationed at Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia, where she deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. Her professionalism and dedication quickly stood out, leading the Department of the Navy to request an extension of her service beyond her original commitment.
Following her time aboard the Puget Sound, Ashley was stationed at the Naval Weapons Station in Charleston, South Carolina. Her final duty station would become one of her most significant milestones serving aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) based out of Norfolk Naval Station, where she was one of the first women ever assigned to a nuclear-powered warship. Her service during this period helped pave the way for greater inclusion and representation of women in the Navy.
After her honorable discharge, Ashley’s commitment to service did not end. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she relocated to Massachusetts with her young son, determined to build a new chapter in civilian life. Without formal education beyond high school, she sought out resources for veterans and found her way to the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program. There, her dedication to personal growth and academic achievement earned her national recognition and she was named the winner of the 50th Anniversary Outstanding Participant Award by the National Association of Veterans Upward Bound. She currently works as a TRIO Program Manager for Veterans Upward Bound. Ashley serves on the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) Quality of Life Commission. She is also a board member for the Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Association (MEOA), where she represents and uplifts first-generation, low-income, and marginalized veterans across the Commonwealth.
Ashley went on to graduate from both Bunker Hill Community College in 2023 and Suffolk University in 2025, turning her goals into achievements and setting an example for others to follow. Today, she continues to advocate for all veterans, especially women, ensuring they have a voice, a platform, and the support needed to thrive.
Ashley is more than a veteran; she is a mother, a leader, a mentor, and a relentless advocate for equality. Her mission is to uplift those around her and to create spaces where all veterans, particularly women, are empowered to become the best versions of themselves. A true trailblazer, she embodies the values of service, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to justice and inclusion.
Contact
Online
| Date published: | June 12, 2025 |
|---|