Lucy Marshall was born on Mount Anderson sheep station, West Kimberley, Western Australia. She is a Nyikina woman. While Marshall was a child she did small jobs such as feeding the chickens and pigs; when she was older she fed the horses and the station ram. She was also made to collect the manure of all the animals and place it on a truck.
Marshall's first child was taken from her by the father's family because, having more white blood, they were considered better able to care for the child. Her six other children she managed to keep with her while working multiple jobs to support them. She also fostered over forty children.
Even though Marshall received no school education, she has held positions on the Aboriginal Housing Board, the Kimberley Land Council, the Board of the Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee.
