The Miss Deaf Pennsylvania Pageant (MDPP) offers young Deaf and Hard of Hearing women between the ages of 17 and 27 an opportunity to develop self-confidence as they compete to become a goodwill ambassador and spokeswoman of the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD). Miss Deaf Pennsylvania Pageant is a non-profit subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf, which is controlled by the Board of Managers. The Pageant has its own advisory board to guide the Pageant Committee in their activities. The MDPP takes place during biennial pageant affiliated with PSAD conferences.

The purpose of the Pageant Program at the state level is to help the PSAD choose a young deaf woman from among the chapter and independent contestants to be the ambassador of the PSAD and a spokeswoman for approximately 82 thousand deaf and hard of hearing Pennsylvanians. Above all-at all levels- the pageant’s goal is to provide a fine, dignified and beautiful way to encourage and foster young deaf and hard of hearing women Pennsylvanians in becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was the site of the first pageant during the 1977 PSAD Convention. This first queen was Debra Krausa. The founders of Miss Deaf Pennsylvania Pageant were Sol and Dot Schwartzman from Pittsburgh, PA.

Since 1977, the Pageant has undergone many changes. The pageant follows closely with the Miss Deaf America Pageant structure. Before reaching state level competition, participants compete at the local level, thus enabling a large number of woman an opportunity to test their skills in public-speaking, stage presence, poise and grace “under fire.” They develop the ability to “think on their feet.” Talent is no longer “the only thing”; the women are judged across a broad spectrum of categories including community service, academics, current events, knowledge of deaf culture, and more. The contestants are required to make a two-minute presentation. This then becomes their Miss Deaf Pennsylvania Platform. The Platform allows each contestant the opportunity to present an issue of importance to her and the Deaf community.

The Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf is one of the oldest known organizations in the United States. It was established in 1881 and incorporated in 1891. PSAD has been a state association under the National Association of the Deaf since 1968.