biography

Ashley Bouman is a passionate local queer activist and dedicated disability advocate based in Cobourg, Ontario. With a solid commitment to creating positive change, Ashley has been actively involved in PFLAG's Cobourg Chapter since 2014, initially serving as the Volunteer Events Coordinator before assuming the role of Chapter Leader in 2016. 

In this capacity, she has been a driving force behind promoting queer visibility and representation in Cobourg and throughout Northumberland County.

As the current PFLAG Cobourg/Northumberland Chapter Leader, Ashley oversees various responsibilities, including facilitating a monthly support group, orchestrating lively Pride events and festivities in during Pride Month, and continually promoting community awareness and education on queer rights and advocacy throughout the year.

Beyond her work with PFLAG, Ashley has also contributed to the community by providing free webinars tailored to the needs of non-profit organizations and local businesses. One such webinar, "Pronoun Usage and Trans Advocacy in Northumberland" was specifically designed to foster safer community spaces by advocating for the normalization of pronoun usage and addressing current trans advocacy issues in Northumberland County. 

Notable participants in her webinars have included organizations such as the Cobourg Police Service, Thrive Northumberland, Rotary Club of Northumberland Sunrise Group, and the Northumberland United Way Board of Directors.

Ashley's dedication to making a difference extends to her involvement in various boards and committees. Presently, she serves as a Director on two boards: The Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre.. Additionally, she actively contributes as a member of the Town of Cobourg's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee and a Board Member for Transition House. 

She is open to more board opportunities, so please contact her if interested. Her committee involvement in these boards centres around 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. Complementing her academic pursuits, she completed the Assaulted Women and Children's Counselling and Advocacy Program at George Brown College and became a licensed Paralegal in Ontario in 2019.

Ashley's exceptional dedication to her community 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. Her contributions were instrumental in organizing Port Hope's inaugural Take Back the Night rally in 2017. Furthermore, she has been acknowledged as a Go Northumberland Woman of Influence and 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 remains steadfast in creating a more accessible, inclusive and equitable society.