Madison Baxter
she/her/hers
Program Coordinator, Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation
Madison Baxter’s focus is on what she calls “the three C’s” - courage, confidence and community. As program coordinator at Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation, she hopes that people who attend her events and activities walk away with all three.
Madison, who grew up in Monongahela, said she “never had the opportunity to really see what community looks like” until she moved to Pittsburgh and got involved with the queer community here and began to build her own community and chosen family.
“I was fortunate enough to have that confidence going in,” Madison said. “Not everybody has that confidence.”
Madison explained that the programming she offers at Hugh Lane has something for everyone, whether they consider themselves introverts or extroverts. For the introverts, Madison suggests the silent book club or LGBTQ+ yoga, while extroverts might prefer pickleball. Hugh Lane offered its first pickleball mini-tournament last winter. In between, there’s Grounds for Discussion where folks can meet up, have some coffee and explore Pittsburgh’s many neighborhoods.
“Nobody should be denied the opportunity to get out and see what where they live has to offer,” she said.
Madison wants the people who attend her programs to feel safe and welcomed, and through Grounds for Discussion and pickleball, she’s also seen how other organizations are opening doors for the queer community. For example, Hugh Lane has partnered with Velum Fermentation for its pickleball program.
“We have worked alongside Velum for a few years,” Madison said. “They have been so kind as to donate the courts to us – I think that’s a prime example of how community helps community.”
In addition to the work she does at Hugh Lane, Madison has been involved with Stonewall Sports and the Steel City Softball League. But she wants people to know that you don’t have to fit a stereotype to take to the pickleball court or try any other sport.
“It’s so important to break the stigma of what a ‘true athlete’ looks like, especially in the queer community,” she said. “I truly, truly believe that once people get the opportunity to learn something and get better at it, that’s a true athlete. That’s someone who’s truly taking care of themselves.”
Whether someone is attending the silent book club or cheering on friends at pickleball, Madison hopes that people will walk away from her events feeling like they are part of a community, and community can be as simple as just showing up.
“I wouldn’t be here without the community,” Madison said. “Having spent 10 years finding and joining a community, I still remember the hellos that made me feel truly seen and heard. I want people to know a simple hello goes a long way.”