Ashley Oyen begins her day at 6:00 a.m., enjoying a quiet moment with coffee before tackling her extensive list of responsibilities. By 7:00 a.m., she transitions into her routine, which includes managing the family business, household chores, homeschooling her children, and engaging in activism with Americans for Prosperity (AFP) in Wisconsin.
Oyen's journey into advocacy began in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about its impact on her family. "Fear started to set in. How’s this going to affect my family, how’s this going to affect my children, how’s this going to affect my business?" she recounted.
A friend, Nicole Tyc, introduced Oyen to AFP during this period. Despite initial nervousness about stepping out of her comfort zone and interacting with strangers, Oyen quickly adapted and became an active volunteer. Her dedication saw her canvassing through challenging weather conditions to engage with community members.
Initially viewing AFP as a side project, Oyen soon integrated it into her life due to the importance she placed on the cause. "I shouldn’t have time to volunteer, but I make the time because it’s important. It’s important for me to be able to set that example for my children and to be able to fight for them," she explained.
Her commitment earned recognition within AFP-Wisconsin. Megan Novak, AFP Wisconsin state director, remarked on Oyen's multifaceted involvement: “She homeschools, she’s involved in her community, they run a small business, they have a small farm out here in Platteville, and yet she dedicates time to work with AFP (…) that’s amazing to me.”
Oyen has been particularly passionate about educational freedom. Her advocacy contributed significantly towards giving families more educational choices across the state. This passion also led her to campaign for a position on the school board in Platteville.
Reflecting on her motivations, Oyen said: “When I think about the world I want my boys to grow up in, I want it to be where they can still achieve the American Dream.” Her dedicated campaigning resulted in a successful election bid.
Ashley Oyen now continues her advocacy both as an activist and school board member while balancing family and business responsibilities.
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