Writing Their Chapter: Ellsworth Finds Her Voice

This feature is a part of Oregon State's celebration of Black History Month, in which it is elevating the voices of Black student-athletes across all platforms.

When Maddy Ellsworth was a child she faced microaggressions at her private school. As one of the few Black students at St. Matthews Catholic School, she would just "brush over the injustice" and continue on her way.

For Ellsworth, everything changed on May 25, 2020, when George Floyd was killed while being arrested in Minneapolis, Minn. Ellsworth says she may have just let it slide as a child, but that moment was a turning point. She chose to no longer let the injustices she saw and experienced slide.

"I know myself and a lot of the Black student-athletes here on campus were, honestly, traumatized by that happening," contributed Ellsworth.

Ellsworth and other Black Oregon State student-athletes sought avenues to take action.

"We talked with each other, and [Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development] Kimya [Massey]," about what they could do to create positive change, Ellsworth said. "And we were able to start Dam Change."

Dam Change's mission is to use sports as a platform to bring awareness, education, and understanding as related to systemic racism in the United States. Those involved will help to educate, empower and enhance the experience of Black student-athletes and staff as well as helping those in the athletics community be more aware of the issues that exist in today's society.

Dam Change's first initiative was to help drive voter turnout for the 2020 Presidential Election, with the main goal of getting all Oregon State student-athletes registered to vote Students engaged in Dam Change, assisted by the Oregon State Athletics Department, emphasized the importance of the individual voice and the right to vote.

"I am proud to say that the student-athletes here do not want their voice to go unheard and over 99 percent of student-athletes are registered to vote," Ellsworth said.

Now that the 2020 election is over, the organization is focusing on education and engagement.

"We have Black student-athlete forums," Ellsworth said. "We bring in amazing Black alumni to come and speak about their experiences growing up or the career that they chose to take."

Dam Change's student-athletes, including Ellsworth, are also working with the local and regional communities.

"We are trying to figure out a way that we can give back to our communities. Whether that be with the Boys and Girls Club or reaching out to schools in Portland to try to get them on campus once COVID is taken care of."

Ellsworth credits her response to the systemic racial issues, and her drive to make things right, to those that support her here at Oregon State.

"My teammates and coaching staff are absolutely amazing," Ellsworth said. "I know that if I wasn't as blessed to have those teammates, it could have been a completely different situation when it comes to how I'm dealing with this and how I'm choosing to use my platform. I'm eternally grateful for having a group of people that are constantly fighting, with me and my other Black teammates, for change."

Her coach, Matt Kagan, speaks high praises for the junior.

"I am so proud of the young woman Maddy is becoming," Kagan said. "She is a special person who exhibits the highest level of leadership. She is at the forefront of the Dam Change campaign and she does a great job keeping that platform current within our team. She is a great ambassador not only from the women's soccer program, but for Oregon State University."

Ellsworth has big hopes for the country's future.

"My hope, as a country, is to find an end to racial injustice."

However, she knows that it takes small steps in the right direction to make big changes.

"Seeing what we, Black brothers and sisters, are dealing with on a daily basis is extremely draining and stressful," she said. "If I can impact my community to make a change and be better, even if just a little bit, I know that other people are doing the same and that is my goal."

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Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Students-Athletes (Go BEAVS).

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