Advocating for people with disabilities
Chandra Smith of Gambrills, MD, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2023 on January 14 at the Rockville Hilton. Ms. Smith became Ms. Wheelchair Maryland after a full day of competition, including workshops, private interviews, and a platform speech. She will now serve as Maryland’s state titleholder for one year. Then, she will prepare to represent the state of Maryland and compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2023 pageant in Grand Rapids, MI, on August 28th–September 3, 2023.
The Ms. Wheelchair Maryland and Ms. Wheelchair America organizations do not judge beauty. Instead, the Ms. Wheelchair Maryland and Ms. Wheelchair America organizations focus on advocacy and recognizing the free spirit and accomplishments of women who use wheelchairs.
Throughout her reign, Ms. Smith will serve as a spokeswoman throughout the state, where she can discuss awareness, acceptance, and the overall understanding of disabilities with the public. In addition, she will travel across the state, visit advocacy groups, make public appearances, including possible parade appearances, and be available to interview.
Ms. Smith will also use her year as Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2023 to share her platform: ‘Accessibility Starts with us “with her platform, she will provide greater education and awareness of incorporating accessibility throughout the design process in both the physical and virtual realms. Ultimately, she hopes to highlight and raise awareness that when you design for disabilities, you make things better for everyone.
Ms. Smith believes the best way to break down barriers for the disability community is by changing society’s perceptions of individuals with disabilities, promoting public acceptance, and advancing policy to help men and women with disabilities live independent lives.
Ms. Smith is a triple amputee and uses a wheelchair for mobility. Though it is difficult, she uses her own personal story as an example that perseverance and determination make anything possible.
Ms. Smith is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park and has two master’s degrees and an MBA. She currently works for the federal government as an IT engineer.
If you would like more information about Ms. Wheelchair Maryland or to schedule an interview with Chandra Smith, please get in touch with her by email at chandracsmith@icloud.com.
Brittany Rieman of Waldorf MD was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2021
on November 7, 2020.
Brittany became Ms. Wheelchair Maryland after a full day of workshops, private
interviews, and a platform speech. She will now serve as Maryland’s state
titleholder for one year and will prepare to represent the state of Maryland and
compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2021 pageant in Michigan.
The Ms. Wheelchair Maryland and Ms. Wheelchair America organizations do not
judge beauty. Instead, the Ms. Wheelchair Maryland and Ms. Wheelchair
America organizations focus on advocacy and recognizing the free spirit and
accomplishments of women who use wheelchairs. Throughout her reign, Brittany will serve as a spokeswoman throughout the state where she can discuss awareness,
acceptance and the overall understanding of disabilities with the general public. She will have the opportunity to travel across the state, visit advocacy groups, make public appearances, including possible parade appearances, and is available to conduct interviews.
Brittany will also use her year as Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2021 to share her platform: Bringing Awareness to Substance abuse. With her platform, she plans to encourage and further open communication between individuals with and without disabilities. Ultimately, she hopes to highlight and raise awareness about the dangers of prescription medications, Alcohol and overcoming addictions. She believes in using her life story to encourage others not to make the same mistakes and also how to overcome the challenges that she has in countered.
Charmaine Richardson of Howard County, MD was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2020 on November 9, 2019, at the Rockville Hilton.
Charmaine became Ms. Wheelchair Maryland after a full day of competition which included workshops, private interviews, and a platform speech. She will now serve as Maryland’s state titleholder for one year and will prepare to represent the state of Maryland and compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2020 pageant in Little Rock, AR, from August 16 – August 23, 2020.
The Ms. Wheelchair Maryland and Ms. Wheelchair America organizations do not judge beauty. Instead, the Ms. Wheelchair Maryland and Ms. Wheelchair America organizations focus on advocacy and recognizing the free spirit and accomplishments of women who use wheelchairs.
Ms. Bruckmann became Ms. Wheelchair District of Columbia after a full day of competition which included workshops, private interviews, and a platform speech. She will now serve as District of Columbia’s titleholder for one year and will prepare to represent and compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2020 competition in Little Rock, AR, from August 16 – August 23, 2020.
MS. WHEELCHAIR MARYLAND CROWNED
Wanda Hawkins-Barber of Capital Heights, MD was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2019 on November 10, 2018 at the Rockville Hilton.
Barber became Ms. Wheelchair Maryland after a full day of competition which included workshops, private interviews, and a platform speech. She will now serve as Maryland’s state titleholder for one year and will prepare to represent the state of Maryland and compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2019 pageant in Little Rock, AR, on July 1 – July 7, 2019.
The Ms. Wheelchair Maryland and Ms. Wheelchair America organizations do not judge beauty. Instead, the Ms. Wheelchair Maryland and Ms. Wheelchair America organizations focus on advocacy and recognizing the free spirit and accomplishments of women who use wheelchairs.
Throughout her reign, Barber will serve as a spokeswoman throughout the state where she can discuss awareness, acceptance and the overall understanding of disabilities with the general public. She will have the opportunity to travel across the state, visit advocacy groups, make public appearances, including possible parade appearances,
and is available to conduct interviews.
Barber will also use her year as Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2019 to share her platform: Communicate, educate, participate, and feel great! With her platform, she plans to encourage and foster open communication between individuals with and without disabilities. Ultimately, she hopes to highlight and raise awareness about the value and talents that individuals with disabilities can bring to society. She believes that everyone has unique abilities and wants to encourage others to embrace their strengths, participate in their communities, and reach for their dreams.
Barber uses a wheelchair for mobility due to a car accident. She, however, has not let these circumstances stop her. Barber lives life to the fullest and aims to shine a positive light on disabilities. Through advocacy and education, she sets an example for other individuals who also use wheelchairs for mobility.
Prior to her accident in …., Barber was a nurse for many years. Currently she works as an Options Counselor for Money Follows the Person, she frequently visits nursing/rehabilitation Centers to uplift residents through her church Ministry and volunteers at the Crescent City Center. Barber has learned to embrace the challenges in her life and will use her new title as a way to continue to raise awareness about disabilities. She is excited about her reign and is available for appearances.
###
If you would like more information about Ms. Wheelchair Maryland or to schedule an interview with Wanda Hawkins-Barber please contact her by phone at 301.536.2716 or email at wlhawk1105@comcast.net
Follow Us
