Biography

Meet Ashley Bouman

A passionate queer activist and dedicated disability advocate based in Cobourg, Ontario, Ashley is committed to driving positive change in her community. Since 2014, she has played a vital role in PFLAG's Cobourg Chapter, starting as the Volunteer Events Coordinator and becoming the Chapter Leader in 2016. In this leadership position, Ashley has been a catalyst for promoting queer visibility and representation throughout Cobourg and Northumberland County.

As the current PFLAG Cobourg/Northumberland Chapter Leader, Ashley manages a variety of initiatives, including facilitating a monthly support group and organizing vibrant Pride events during and beyond Pride Month. Her year-round efforts focus on raising community awareness and education on queer rights and advocacy.

In addition to her work with PFLAG, Ashley offers free webinars designed to empower non-profit organizations and local businesses. One such webinar, "Pronoun Usage and Trans Advocacy in Northumberland," aims to create safer community spaces by normalizing pronoun usage and addressing current trans advocacy issues. Her webinars have engaged notable organizations like the Cobourg Police Service, Thrive Northumberland, Rotary Club of Northumberland Sunrise Group, and the Northumberland United Way Board of Directors.

Ashley’s commitment to making a difference extends to her roles on various boards and committees. She currently serves as a Director on the boards of The Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre. Additionally, she was an active member of the Town of Cobourg's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee and a Board Member for Transition House. Ashley is open to additional board opportunities, focusing on board development, EDI, legal expertise, queer representation, and fundraising.

Academically, Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English Literature and Women's Studies from Trent University. She has also completed the Assaulted Women and Children's Counselling and Advocacy Program at George Brown College and became a licensed Paralegal in Ontario in 2019.

Her exceptional dedication has earned her recognition, including a Port Hope Civic Award in 2018 for her role as a Committee Member of Take Back the Night Port Hope, where she was instrumental in organizing the inaugural Take Back the Night rally in 2017. Ashley has also been honoured as a Go Northumberland Woman of Influence and received a Cobourg Civic Award for her outstanding commitment to advocacy and activism.

With her wealth of experience, unwavering passion, and extensive community involvement, Ashley Bouman is dedicated to creating a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable society.