Miss America by Day

Lessons Learned from Ultimate Betrayals and Unconditional Love

By: Marilyn Van Derbur

Narrated by: Kelli Gordon

Miss America by Day won a 1st place in the prestigious Writer’s Digest National book competition.

In this long-awaited book, Van Derbur, a former Miss America, tells the story of how she was sexually violated by her father from age 5 to age 18. She was 53 years old before she was able to speak the words in public: "I am an incest survivor." She opened the door for tens of thousands of sexual abuse survivors to speak the words, many for the first time, within their own families and communities.

Van Derbur describes in detail what specific "work" she did on her successful journey from victim to survivor. Using her story as the scaffolding, she shares knowledge and insights she has gained after talking personally with adult survivors in 225 cities.

©2011 Marilyn Van Derbur (P)2025 Jones Crane

Phenomenally told

Important book for all especially parents

Not an easy listen sometimes but masterfully told.