In the span of a few weeks, singer and anti-bullying activist Rachel Ashley of Graysville has received two provincial awards recognizing her work.    The latest being the 2015 YMCA-YWCA (Y- Winnipeg) Young Woman of Distinction Award, which was presented to her in Winnipeg, May 6th.  Ashley spends a lot of time touring schools across Canada sharing her message on anti-bullying.

"It's a huge honour, and I'm still shocked," said Ashley.  "It just proves that one person can make a difference."  "When I go to schools and talk to kids, I really hope that they realize that, that they can make a difference and one day they could be standing on a stage receiving an award."  

Ashley says when she was going through her own tough times it felt like she didn't have a voice and she didn't matter.  "I know differently now, I know that I do have a voice and I know that I can make a difference.  When I get messages from kids saying that I'm their inspiration or that I changed their life, I know that I am making a difference, and they know they're making a difference too."

Through her work, Ashley says her goal is to create more leaders and world changers.

At the Volunteer Manitoba Awards in April, Ashley also received the RBC Local Hero Award.