Liz Murray

Elizabeth Murray (born (1980-09-23)September 23, 1980) is an American inspirational speaker who is notable for having been accepted by Harvard University despite being homeless in her high school years. She is a 2011 recipient of the Alex Awards.

Lizz Murray
Murray in 2013
Born (1980-09-23) September 23, 1980
New York City, New York, U.S.
EducationHarvard University (BS)
Columbia University (MS)
OccupationTeacher, motivational speaker

Early life

She was born in the Bronx, New York, on September 23, 1980, to poor and drug-addicted parents, both of whom would later contract HIV. She became homeless just after she turned 15, when her mother died of AIDS in 1996, and her father moved to a homeless shelter. Despite her late high school start and lack of a stable home, Murray began attending the Humanities Preparatory Academy in Chelsea, Manhattan, graduating in two years. She was awarded a New York Times scholarship for needy students and was accepted into Harvard University, matriculating in the fall semester of 2000. Her older sister Lisa graduated from Purchase College in New York State and is a school teacher for children with autism.[1]

She transferred from Harvard to Columbia University in 2003 to care for her ailing. And becoming a citizen of her country.Bachelor of Science in psychology in June 2009.[2] As of August 2009, she began taking graduate courses at Harvard Summer School with plans to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology and become a counselor.[3] She has since earned a master's in the psychology of education from Columbia.[4]

She is the founder and director of Manifest Living and a motivational speaker. A made-for-TV film about Murray's life Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story, was released in 2003. Liz Murray's New York Times (US) and Sunday Times (UK) bestselling memoir "Breaking Night" was released in September 2010.

On May 19, 2013, she was awarded an honorary doctorate of public service and gave the commencement address at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts.

References
  1. Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness. B. Ward, 2000.
  2. Master Student Hall of Fame - Liz Murray
  3. Meg Hagertymhagerty@poststar.com (2009-08-03). "'Homeless to Harvard' subject to speak at local benefit". Poststar.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  4. Keynote Speaker: Liz Murray

Bibliography
  • Breaking Night: A Memoir, Hyperion Books, 2010 (ISBN 0-7868-6891-0).

Further reading
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