Van Derbur, Marilyn (c. 1937–)

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Van Derbur, Marilyn (c. 1937–)

Miss America. Name variations: Marilyn Van Derbur Atler. Born Marilyn Elaine Van Derbur, c. 1937, in Denver, CO; University of Colorado, Phi Beta Kappa; m. Larry Atler (attorney); children: 1 daughter.

Named Miss America (1958), representing Colorado; went public about surviving her father's sexual abuse from age 5 to 18; was a guest lecturer and frequent keynote speaker; established an adult survivor program; produced "Once Can Hurt a Lifetime," a video for teenagers on the trauma of sexual abuse shown often on PBS stations. Named to Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.

See also Frank Deford, There She Is (Viking, 1971).

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