Ashley Carothers

I serve as the LGBTQ+ Liaison with the Center for Minority Veterans at the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Service has always been a part of my life. Two of my uncles served in the military and my grandfather was a World War Veteran. He instilled in me a sense of serving others, whether it be the local community or serving the Nation.

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I try to be as out as I can just so the folks that can't bring themselves fully and authentically to work, at least they know there's other people like them here, so they are safe. 

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The highlight of my career has been getting to see the positive changes made in our most marginalized Veterans' lives. Sometimes people just need someone to listen and then be proactive to assist in whatever capacity they can. That can be life-changing for someone. I'm proud of the progress we've made and it's always rewarding to see how those changes can have a lasting effect. Knowing that person is going to be okay, that's the reward, icing on the cake.

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If I could go back and give myself advice when I started in public service, I'd say: Don't be afraid to run through a brick wall. Sometimes doing what's right is the hardest thing, but it has to be done.

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To me, public service means serving our greatest asset: our people.