About Us
Our Mission
Ladysmith Pride Society envisions a future where our community stands as a shining example of inclusivity, love, and acceptance. We are dedicated to fostering a town where 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and allies can live authentically and without fear, where diversity is celebrated, and where unity is our strength. Through education, advocacy, and unwavering commitment, we aspire to create a Ladysmith where love knows no boundaries.
Board of Directors
President
Vice President
Vice President
Kezia Cloke (all pronouns)
president@ladysmithpridesociety.com
Kezia Cloke is a passionate and dedicated member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the founder of the Ladysmith Pride Society. She is a fifth generation Ladysmith resident and visitor on the unceded Stz'uminus First Nation territory. Proudly lesbian and a veteran, she has served
Kezia Cloke (all pronouns)
president@ladysmithpridesociety.com
Kezia Cloke is a passionate and dedicated member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the founder of the Ladysmith Pride Society. She is a fifth generation Ladysmith resident and visitor on the unceded Stz'uminus First Nation territory. Proudly lesbian and a veteran, she has served in the Canadian Army for three years as a Traffic Technician in the Logistics Branch.
When Kezia is not working, you can find them reading their newest romance novel or passionately engaging in discussions regarding the best queer television shows. Kezia hopes to give Ladysmith an inclusive, fun, safe and diverse representation. She is a gifted writer and hopes to publish her debut novel in 2024.
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Sarah Martichenko (she/her)
vice@ladysmithpridesociety.com
Excited to serve as Vice President, Sarah brings a background in project management and communications to Ladysmith Pride. Her goal is to amplify community voices, while fostering unity and acceptance. She hopes to contribute to a future where everyone feels seen and valued. Sarah
Sarah Martichenko (she/her)
vice@ladysmithpridesociety.com
Excited to serve as Vice President, Sarah brings a background in project management and communications to Ladysmith Pride. Her goal is to amplify community voices, while fostering unity and acceptance. She hopes to contribute to a future where everyone feels seen and valued. Sarah is thrilled to contribute to the success of the Ladysmith Pride Society!
Treasurer
Vice President
Treasurer
Jonelle Andrew (she/her)
treasurer@ladysmithpridesociety.com
Jonelle is a descendent of colonizers, living in the unceded territory of the Stz'uminus First Nation. As a devoted advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, she is driven by her passion for inclusion, representation, and access to justice. Currently working in finance at the Law Fou
Jonelle Andrew (she/her)
treasurer@ladysmithpridesociety.com
Jonelle is a descendent of colonizers, living in the unceded territory of the Stz'uminus First Nation. As a devoted advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, she is driven by her passion for inclusion, representation, and access to justice. Currently working in finance at the Law Foundation of British Columbia, Jonelle plans to bring her experience from the nonprofit sector to the Society.
Outside of her work, Jonelle is mother to a toddler and two border collies, all with unmatched energy levels, so she spends lots of time outside! A proud Ladysmith resident since 2020 but an Islander her whole life, her love for this town fuels her desire to see the local Pride Society thrive and flourish. She looks forward to contributing to the continued progress and advancement of queer rights and representation.
Secretary
Group Email
Treasurer
Lacey Redding (she/her)
secretary@ladysmithpridesociety.com
Lacey was born and raised in Ladysmith in the unceded traditional territories of Stz’uminus First Nation. Her lived experience as a strong ally for her younger brother being in the LGBTQIA+community, coming out as a young youth and needing support, is what she holds closest to herh
Lacey Redding (she/her)
secretary@ladysmithpridesociety.com
Lacey was born and raised in Ladysmith in the unceded traditional territories of Stz’uminus First Nation. Her lived experience as a strong ally for her younger brother being in the LGBTQIA+community, coming out as a young youth and needing support, is what she holds closest to herheart as the guiding force for wanting to be a board member of the Ladysmith Pride Society.She was first introduced to Pride celebrations to support her brother, and the advocacy grew from there. Lacey continues to reside in Ladysmith and is now raising her own daughter. She graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2015 with a bachelors degree in Child and Youth
Care, with a specialization in child protection. Lacey’s professionalism and dedication is to support children, youth and families in her hometown. She has 10 years experience at the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association as a local community-based outreach Support Worker, with ongoing training and much understanding supporting youth and their families who are in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and navigating their lives. Through this role, Lacey co-created a very successful drop-in youth group for an inclusive, ‘proud space’ for local kids to access a safe,
social outlet and therapeutic setting to be creative, expressive, and feel a sense of connection. Lacey’s enthusiasm is in the field of mental health, trauma-informed practice, neurodiversity/neurodivergence, adverse childhood experience/development, inclusive education, program expansion, change-making, community care and social justice! Lacey also sits on the Board of Directors as a secretary for the Vancouver Island Crisis Society and is trained in suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and grief/loss. Lacey’s hobbies include spending as much time in nature as possible, pet-sitting, hot yoga, self-care and spirituality, prioritizing play, being a Mother, feminist, and holding space with deep compassion, kindness, and empathy for each and every human.
