Marilyn is the proud wife of Buffalos Best Baker, Joseph Young, and a loving mom to 5 Adult children and 3 Grandchildren. The government has employed Marilyn since the age of 18. She began her service when she joined the United States Army, serving as a purchasing agent of pharmaceutical supplies/equipment, spending five years on active duty and six years in the reserve. She is a Veteran of the first Persian Gulf WAR, where she has received many honors, including the Bronze Star and Good Conduct medal.

   Marilyn worked at the VA Hospital for seven years as a Medical Clerk and as a Contract Specialist with the US Airforce for 1.5 years. Currently, she is employed by the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance as a Corporate and Income Franchise tax auditor for the last 20 years. She is a graduate of Medaille College, 1994 & 2019, with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Masters in Clinical Marriage and Family therapy.

  Marilyn was featured in USA Today for her service in the Gulf region. She was most excited about receiving a call from Tom Joyner as a Thursday Morning Mom, where she received $1000 and free time for a year. The Afro-American Police Association has acknowledged her service, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Black Achievers, Women Touching the World, and the NAACP. But states nothing will matter most then to hear “Well Done, Thy Good & Faithful Servant.”

 She switched from the front lines of serving her country to serving her community. She is the former Vice chairwoman of STOP THE VIOLENCE COALITION INC and Founder of a nonprofit, W.A.V.E, Women Against Violence Everywhere. 

With her team, she created a Prison Prevention Program entitled “LOCKED UP”, and You Don’t Know My Story, Breakfast Empowerment Symposium. 

Marilyn turned her love of skating, which helped keep her out of trouble to create Skate Don’t Hate, a Free Outdoor skate against violence, and a mentoring program, Mentoring On Wheels.

She also created Pretty As A Daisy Mentoring in honor of her late adopted mother, Mrs. Daisy. The latter was accidentally shot by Buffalo Police while chasing a suspect and later died. Its tagline is “Helping girls to bloom, WHEREVER they are planted” and serves at-risk girls 9-18. 

Marilyn is also the Program Director for Elim Christian Fellowship Girls 2 Women Mentoring Program, which serves girls 9-18.

Marilyn recognizes the importance of having good mentors, teachers, and role models and accredits who she is today to having those great people in her life. This is the motivating factor for her service. Her favorite scripture is, ” After you have been restored, Go back and strengthen thy brother. 

She is a proud member of Elim Christian Fellowship, Bishop Troy A Bronner Pastor, and the Erie County (NY) Chapter of The Links.