Press Release: 6/13/2025

Healey-Driscoll Administration Honors Women Veterans During Annual Deborah Sampson Award Ceremony

 

Ashley Booker Named 2025 Deborah Sampson Award Recipient

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

6/12/2025

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Jacqueline Manning, Communications Director / Press Secretary

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Call Jacqueline Manning, Communications Director / Press Secretary at (857) 303-6051 

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Email Jacqueline Manning, Communications Director / Press Secretary at jacqueline.manning@mass.gov

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today honored Ashley Booker as the 2025 Deborah Sampson Award recipient during the annual Women Veterans Recognition Day ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. The event, held each June to commemorate Women Veterans Recognition Month, drew a record number of nominations and celebrated the growing community of women veterans in Massachusetts.

“This is a day to honor the service, strength, and resilience of Massachusetts’ women veterans,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Ashley Booker exemplifies all of those qualities and more. Her story is one of grit, courage and leadership—and her continued work to support others makes her an extraordinary role model for veterans and civilians alike.”

“It was an honor to present Ashley Booker with the 2025 Deborah Sampson Award for her courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our country, said First Lady Joanna Lydgate. “I was deeply moved by her journey and work to uplift so many veterans across Massachusetts.” 

“Women veterans have always answered the call to serve—and now, more than ever, they’re leading the way forward,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Ashley Booker’s story is a powerful example of that leadership in action. Her determination, service, and advocacy reflect the very best of our Commonwealth. Today’s celebration is about recognizing trailblazers like Ashley—and recommitting ourselves to building a more inclusive future for all who serve.”

“Ashley Booker’s life is a living testament to perseverance and purpose,” said Secretary Jon Santiago. “From breaking barriers in the Navy to breaking ground for other women veterans here at home, she’s never stopped serving. We’re proud to honor her today and thank her for all she does to create a more inclusive and empowering future for our veteran community.”

Named for the Revolutionary War hero who disguised herself as a man to serve in combat, the Deborah Sampson Award is the highest honor the Commonwealth bestows upon a woman veteran. The award, presented annually by the Executive Office of Veterans Services’ Massachusetts Women Veterans Network (WVN), recognizes a woman veteran who has made outstanding contributions to her community and demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, and advocacy on behalf of other women veterans.

Ashley Booker enlisted in the U.S. Navy just two days after graduating high school, serving as a Damage Controlman during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. She became one of the first women ever assigned to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)—a milestone that helped pave the way for broader inclusion of women in the military. After her honorable discharge, Ashley continued her service in a new form: supporting fellow veterans and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.

Relocating to Massachusetts during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley joined the Veterans Upward Bound program, ultimately earning national recognition for her achievements. She went on to graduate from Bunker Hill Community College and Suffolk University and now works as a TRIO Program Manager for Veterans Upward Bound. Ashley also serves on the EOVS Quality of Life Commission and is a board member of the Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Association, where she advocates for first-generation, low-income, and marginalized veterans.

This year’s ceremony saw a record number of nominations for the Deborah Sampson Award, reflecting a broader trend of growing engagement among women veterans in Massachusetts. Through outreach, leadership opportunities, and storytelling initiatives, the Women Veterans Network continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact—ensuring that the voices and experiences of women veterans are celebrated and heard across Massachusetts.

About Women Veterans Recognition Day

Every June 12, Women Veterans Recognition Day honors the anniversary of the 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which granted women the right to serve as permanent, regular members of the U.S. military. The day serves as a reminder of the progress made—and the work that remains—to fully recognize and support women who serve.

About the Women Veterans Network

Founded in 1997, the Massachusetts Women Veterans Network (WVN) is a program under the Executive Office of Veterans Services dedicated to empowering women veterans through education, advocacy, outreach, and connection. WVN ensures that the unique experiences of women veterans are represented in policy, programming, and public dialogue. 



Learn more: mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-women-veterans-network