North Adams City Council President. Advocate for Liberty and the LGBTQ+ Community.
03/27/2025
The North Adams City Council has declared North Adams a sanctuary for the LGBTQIA-plus community, passing a resolution to affirm the city's commitment to trans rights and equal protections. The vote, which passed 6-3, followed emotional testimonies from community members and allies. Read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/45amyv7a
02/26/2025
“We’re considered the enemy by our federal government:” first openly trans elected official in Berkshire County reflects on second Trump term An interview with North Adams, Massachusetts city council vice president Ashley Shade.
Today I had the opportunity to speak with the workers on strike at Mass MoCA. I spent several hours with them, listening to them, learning from them, and coming to understand them. The workers are on strike not because they don't love their work, but because they deserve to be paid sustainable wages. They don't just want a job but they want career opportunities, the ability to work at the museum and make enough in wages to provide for themselves and their families.
It's unacceptable for dedicated employees to struggle to make ends meet while working at an institution as prominent as Mass MoCA. Negotiating for fair compensation is a fundamental right, and it's disappointing that after five months of discussions, museum management has failed to reach an agreement that meets the needs of its workers. Anyone in our community can attest to the fact that the cost of living in Berkshire County is going up - and Mass MoCA staffers are not immune to these increases.
MASS MoCA is an important institution within our community. They are great at bringing people in to visit our city and they recently secured a grant to become a better economic partner with the city of North Adams. I am grateful for their presence and what they have done to help our city grow. Mass MoCA,is also a non-profit organization that enjoys tax benefits not available to commercial businesses, many of which still provide a higher wage to their workers. If Mass MoCA truly supports economic development in our city and our community then there is no valid excuse for Mass MoCA failing to invest in its most valuable asset - the people who make it great. I stand in solidarity with the workers of Mass MoCA and urge the management to prioritize their well-being by reaching a fair agreement as soon as possible.
11/05/2023
I am excited to announce endorsement again this election by the Massachusetts Woman’s Political Caucus. I am honored for your continued support!
11/04/2023
I am thrilled to once again be endorsed by LPAC. I am appreciative of LPAC's continued support and confidence in my leadership.
“Shade is a long time resident of North Adams and has served on the city’s Human Services Commission, as well as the Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity & Access Working Group. LPAC endorsed her for her first successful campaign in 2021.“
11/03/2023
Here is another reminder that early voting is happening right now! Skip the lines on Election Day and have your vote counted TODAY!
09/03/2023
Nine years ago today, I made one of the most difficult steps of my life: publicly coming out as transgender.
Today I'm a North Adams City Councilor. I am 1 of 51 openly out transgender people elected to office in the United States. I have the privilege of serving and representing my community, my people and my city. I have an opportunity to make a difference. I believe that all human beings should be able to live as their authentic selves, and I will always fight to increase representation for the most marginalized communities. Today I am honored to be one of those very few confirmed out elected transgender people.
Today I am also running for reelection to continue to serving my city and my community.
Today, I'm fighting every day to protect the rights of all North Adams residents, including members of the LGBTQ community.
That's why I'm proud to announce that LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is endorsing me for re-election to the North Adams City Council!
Victory Fund only endorses candidates who will be strong voices for equality and who are building campaigns that are on-track to win. I’m honored to receive the endorsement.
Visit my website at ashleyshade.com to support my campaign today, and help me continue to fight for equality.
08/16/2023
Hi everyone, Announcement Time!
As you may or may not know, I'm running to continue to serve North Adams as a City Councilor this fall! I'm excited to announce that we have a brand new website up and running for our re-election efforts and I can't wait for you to visit and check things out!
Now as you may know, running for office does come with some expenses.
Today, we are launching a fundraiser with a starting goal of $2,000 Over the next 45 days. Check out our new website site and donate today! As always I am grateful for your support and look forward to earning your votes this November!
ashleyshade.com
My name is Ashley Shade. I am a Transgender Woman, a passionate activist for both the Transgender Community and Liberty movement, and a fierce believer in the human spirit.
I am currently seeking election to the Libertarian National Committee as the Region 8 Alternative Representative. I am also seeking the Chair position within Outright Libertarians. I have been a candidate for office twice before, First in 2017 when I ran for North Adams City Council, and again in 2019 when I was elected to the Libertarian Association of Massachusetts State Committee, where I served as treasurer from July 2019 to November 2019. I am the first ever Transgender person to be elected to a party officer position in the State of Massachusetts, and the second ever trans elected libertarian in the party history.
I currently serve as the Director of Finance and Campaign Manager for the Give Congress Hale 2020 Congressional Campaign, Deputy Director of Policy and Outreach for Outright Libertarians, Policy Directory and GSM Outreach Director for Vermin Supreme for President 2020, advisor for the Thomas Daniel Quiter 2020 NY Senate campaign, and Campaign Manager for Brianna Coyle for NYC Council ‘21.
Locally I serve as a commissioner on the North Adams Human Services Commission. I serve as a member of the board of directors for the Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition, The Berkshire Pride planning committee, and I am a facilitator in north county for Berkshire Trans Group meetings.