Biography
Rachel Marie Brooks is a dynamic speaker, seasoned performer, and a passionate autism advocate. Presently, she is a research analyst for Econsult Corporation, an economic and public policy consulting firm located in Philadelphia. She is also a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government where she is pursuing a Masters Degree in Government Administration. In 2004 she earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Economics from West Chester University where she was a Summa Cum Laude Honors College graduate, with a minor in accounting.
In June of 2007, Rachel was crowned Miss Pennsylvania 2007. During her year of service she acted as a representative and spokes person for the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Organization. She has been featured on television, radio, and in print media such as Good Day Philadelphia on FOX 29, Central Pennsylvania Living Magazine, 610 WIP radio, and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Her numerous community appearances across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania have included festivals, schools, parades, fundraisers, and trade shows where she has served as a special guest, mistress of ceremonies, keynote speaker and performer. Rachel Marie represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the Miss America pageant in January of 2008 where she received the non-finalist award for her talent, a vocal performance of the American classic tune Summertime. In her role as Miss Pennsylvania, Brooks traveled across the state appearing at community events, presenting motivational speeches to school students, and performing her vocal talents for audiences of all ages.
As Miss Pennsylvania, Rachel utilized her title to promote her platform entitled Autism Awareness: Unlocking the Mystery. Inspired by the diagnosis of her brother Brandon, Rachel is active throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania increasing awareness about the disorder through media and community appearances. Her advocacy work has taken her to the nation’s capital and Pennsylvania’s state capital, where she testified before the Senate Insurance and Banking Committee as a proponent of the autism insurance legislation HB 1150. Currently, Miss Brooks sits on the advisory board for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Autism Services.
Rachel’s commitment to the community extends beyond her involvement with autism. She speaks to children and teens throughout the region on topics such as education, self-image and faith. Speaking engagements of note include keynote speeches for The Employability Expo, Ester Magazine’s Teen Girls of Faith Conference, and The Transition Academy. Ms. Brooks has also been a recurring co-host for the “Girls, We Need to Talk” television program, which addresses issues relevant to urban young women in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
In addition to her community involvement, Rachel is also an accomplished performer with a background in music, theatee and dance. She is a former member of the West Chester University Dance Company and the Prince Music Theater's Rainbow Company. Though she is classically trained as a vocalist, Ms. Brooks has performed music from multiple genres and recently recorded background vocals for Exhortation Gospel Music Ensemble’s CD entitled My Shepherd.