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.
