Marilyn Van Derbur

Marilyn Van Derbur is an American author and public speaker best known for her advocacy work with sexual abuse survivors and her memoir "Miss America By Day," which chronicles her experience as both a Miss America winner and a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. As Miss America 1958, Van Derbur initially appeared to embody the ideal of success and privilege, having grown up in a prominent Denver family and achieving national recognition. Years later, she became one of the first high-profile Americans to publicly disclose her history as an incest survivor, breaking significant cultural barriers around discussing sexual abuse. After going public with her story in 1991, Van Derbur dedicated her life to raising awareness about sexual abuse and its long-term effects on survivors. Her work includes founding the American Coalition for Abuse Awareness and establishing the Adult Incest Survivors Program at the Kempe National Center. Van Derbur has received numerous awards for her advocacy work, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Colorado and being named Outstanding Woman Speaker in America. Her book "Miss America By Day" has become a significant resource in the field of trauma recovery and earned several literary awards.

Readers consistently point to Van Derbur's honesty and courage in sharing her personal story of abuse survival in "Miss America By Day." Many reviewers appreciate her detailed accounts of healing methods and practical advice for other survivors. Positive reviews focus on: - Clear writing style that handles difficult topics with care - Inclusion of scientific research and expert perspectives - Specific recovery techniques readers can implement Critical reviews mention: - Some sections feel repetitive - The book's length (over 500 pages) can be overwhelming - A few readers found certain therapeutic suggestions impractical Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.8/5 (560+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.5/5 (1,200+ ratings) One reader noted: "Her thoroughness in explaining trauma responses helped me understand my own reactions for the first time." Another wrote: "The only drawback is the sheer amount of information - it can be hard to process all at once."

Miss America By Day Personal memoir detailing Van Derbur's experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, her journey to healing, and her subsequent advocacy work, including her time as Miss America 1958.

Motion Is Lotion A guide focusing on physical wellness and mobility for older adults, drawing from Van Derbur's experience with chronic pain and her research into movement therapy.

Verbal First Aid Educational text exploring communication techniques for helping others through trauma and crisis situations, based on Van Derbur's work with trauma survivors and healthcare professionals.