The name came from a blend of symbolism and spirituality.

“Cross” was inspired by Mary, the mother of Jesus, the woman who stood at the cross until the very end. That image has always stayed with me. It reflects a kind of faith and love that doesn’t leave when things get hard. Women like Mary carry, endure, and remain, even when it hurts.

“Marilyn” comes from Marilyn Monroe, whose story has always drawn me in. I’ve admired her drive, her ambition, and her refusal to quit. She wasn’t handed success, she worked for it. There was also a quietness to her beauty and talent, almost as if she didn’t fully see what the world saw in her. Her life reflects the tension many women live with, including myself, being seen and admired, yet still misunderstood and, at times, even treated as a threat. Despite all of that, she kept showing up, and that has always stayed with me.

Marilyn Cross became a fusion of the sacred and the human, the Mary who stayed, and the Marilyn who persisted.

It represents grace, endurance, and the strength to keep standing, even when it hurts.

Without question, Marilyn Cross is a movement, a tribute to women who have endured and risen.

When I think of Marilyn, I think of women like Tina Turner. I never met her, but her story has always stayed with me. As a child, I would sit in front of the television watching her, captivated by her beauty, her strength, the way her body moved with power and confidence across the stage. At the time, I didn’t have the language for what I was seeing, I just knew I was drawn to it. I didn’t yet understand that behind that presence was survival, resilience, and a decision to keep going no matter what.

Looking back, I realize why she resonated with me so deeply. There were pieces of her story that would later mirror my own, strength forged in difficult places, showing up even when life demanded more than felt fair. That connection wasn’t something I could name then, but I recognize it now.

Historically, women have always shown up, through heartbreak, violence, betrayal, and loss, and still kept giving.

A mother, for instance, will go to war for her child, even if it means standing against someone she once loved. That’s the heart of Marilyn Cross, women who love deeply, give endlessly, and stand tall even when it hurts.

Women are often unseen, uncelebrated, and uncompensated for what they carry, yet they keep going because love is their default setting. That’s the essence of the movement.

You can shop Tyra Bedford’s books in both e-book and paperback formats, along with a curated collection of Marilyn Cross items, directly through the online store. If you’d like to explore the book before purchasing, the first chapter is available as a complimentary e-book.

In the spirit of Marilyn Cross, charitable giving is handled separately from book and product sales. One hundred percent of funds that are specifically donated, not proceeds from purchases, go directly to supporting women in need.

Donated funds are distributed to domestic violence organizations such as House of Ruth Maryland, CHILD, Inc., and YWCA Delaware.

As donations are collected, every $1,000 is forwarded in full to a selected organization, rotating to ensure consistent and meaningful impact.

For questions, partnership opportunities, or requests related to donations, please contact hello@tyrabedford.com.

Yes, I am happy to speak at engagements, especially when they relate to empowerment of women and disenfranchised communities. I’m also available to partner with positive organizations, including non-profits and schools.

Please contact me at hello@tyrabedford.com with details of your request or engagement.