Birth Date: 1945-11-18

Term End: 2029-01-01

Biography: Marshall was born and raised in Maryland. She attended the University of Maryland for her undergraduate education, receiving a B.S. in Home Economics in 1968. She spent the following year teaching in the Lenoir County School System. She worked three jobs in the 1970s: running a book and gift store (1969-74), teaching at the Lenoir Community College and Johnston Tech Community College (1970-77), and simultaneously served as the owner and decorator of the Custom House (1975-79). Marshall began her involvement in politics during this period. She was named National Committee Woman for the Young Democrats of North Carolina organization in 1974. She remained in that role until 1977, when she became National Secretary for the Young Democrats of America. Marshall earned her J.D. in 1981 from Campbell University School of Law, where she later became an adjunct faculty member for the Trial Advocacy Program (from 1982 to 1984). She launched her legal career immediately upon graduation, taking a job in Harnett County as an associate for the office of Edgar R. Bain. She practiced law there for three years while also building political momentum as the president of the Democratic Women's Committee. She served as President for four years, and then as the county's Democratic Party Chairwoman, beginning in 1991.[2] She went on to serve in the North Carolina State Senate from 1993 to 1996.