Marilyn K. Gambrell attended Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology and Corrections. She is the original creator of former 501(c)3 Non Profit, No More Victims (NMV) and is a Certified Anger Resolution Therapist. Ms. Gambrell is a former Texas Parole Officer, also the founder of  Legends and Legacies Houston, Inc.

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She witnessed many painful life circumstances that children were enduring who were experiencing parental incarceration. She felt compelled and it became a long-term goal to create a program to support this most-in-need population of children. Her dream became a reality and resulted in her founding No More Victims, Inc. In January, 2000 she initiated the school-based program for children of incarcerated parents at M.B. Smiley High School in Houston, Texas. Her uniquely designed program specifically created for this child also included justice and community-based components. The program offers a voluntary class daily for children of incarcerated parents. The No More Victims Family has successfully assisted in creating a safer school environment, reducing crime on campus, substance abuse, improving attendance and grades, reducing gang involvement and violence and preventing incarceration among children. She has partnered with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for approximately 19 years providing through a platform for the older children to share their life experiences and how they feel when a child has one or both parents incarcerated.

 

There have been many special feature stories regarding her work. She has been featured in U.S. News and World Report, People Magazine and Prism Magazine. Ms. Gambrell has been named an American Street Saint and her story is featured in the nationally acclaimed book titled "Street Saints: Renewing American Cities", written by Barbra Elliot. She has received tremendous local, national, and international media coverage. CNN "News Night with Aaron Brown" presented special feature stories (2003, 2004, and 2005) with one CNN story being nominated for an Emmy Award as an Outstanding Special Feature News Story (2004). On August 22, 2005, the Lifetime Movie Network premiered a Lifetime Movie Original: "Fighting the Odds" - The Marilyn Gambrell Story. Houston PBS (2006) and Nickelodeon's Nick News with Linda Ellerbee (2007) released special feature stories about No More Victims, Inc. During 2008, she was named the Alumnus of the Year, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University and was named one of the Top Twenty-Five Women of Houston by Co-America Bank and Rolling Out Magazine. She also received the Ambassador of Peace Award from the Universal Peace Federation. She was featured on MTV-True Life Reality Show (2010) and the Secret Millionaire TV Show (ABC), April, 2011 and Latin Voices, 2011. She has received numerous awards and was the recipient of the McGovern Award from the University of Texas, School of Public Health in 2014 and the Houston Humanitarian Award Recipient for Houston Random Act of Kindness Day and Goodspire in November 2015, The Superwoman Award and the Legends of Sunnyside Award given by Evan E. Worthing High School. The program is now in three public high schools in Houston ISD. She is also an author and playwright with the first production to tentatively be released in 2021. Ms. Gambrell and the students make presentations around the country regarding this most at risk population raising awareness regarding addressing the needs and issues of children experiencing parental incarceration.

 

Ms. Gambrell teaches the children that

... because YOU exist makes YOU priceless...