Transcript
(0:01 - Ashley Booker)
I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. Um, joined the Navy at 18.
0:09 Ashley Booker
I am a TRIO program manager for veterans upperbound. It's a first generation program to help veterans who have not
0:17 Ashley Booker
yet obtained their bachelor's degree. We help them to be successful when they finally enroll in college. Once you take the uniform off, service doesn't end.
0:28 Ashley Booker
A lot of them say thank you. They sent emails. As a matter of fact, one of them just left a note on my desk the other day.
0:35 Ashley Booker
Watching you achieve success makes me want to work harder to achieve my own goals. Take care of shipmate. Philip C.
0:46 Deputy Secretary Andrea Gayle-Bennett
Sometimes you don't recognize that the work that you're doing that other people are noticing.
0:53 Ashley Booker
It feels um surreal. It feels um unexpected, shocking. It's a humbling experience.
Video Description
Ashley Booker reflecting about her life and how it feels to be honored with the 2025 Deborah Sampson Award.