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Liz Murray

  • Went from Homelessness to Harvard
  • Bestselling Author of 'Breaking Night: My Journey from Homeless to Harvard'
  • Founder of The Arthur Project - An innovative youth mentoring program
  • Advocate for Underserved Youth and Poverty Awareness

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The child of drug-addicted parents who routinely ate from dumpsters and sought refuge at all-night subway stations to survive, Liz Murray was homeless at age 15—and fending for her life. Determined not to be defined by her circumstances, she recognized education as the key to a fresh beginning and a whole new way of living. She earned her high school diploma in just two years and won a scholarship to Harvard University that would turn her bleak circumstances into a future filled with limitless possibility.

With sincerity, maturity and graciousness, Murray takes audiences along on her personal journey from street smarts to classroom triumphs, instantly becoming an inspiration to both student groups and business audiences alike in need of the motivation to overcome their own obstacles. She is the author of Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard, which became the film Homeless to Harvard and was nominated for three Emmy Awards. Murray graduated from Harvard in 2009, and went on to receive her Masters in the Psychology of Education at Columbia University. Today, as co-founder of The Arthur Project, Murray is a passionate advocate for under served youth, working to end generational poverty through relationship-based learning.

 


Liz Murray headshot
Liz Murray photo 3
Liz Murray photo 2
Past Hosts Include:
  • National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
  • HomeFirst
  • Ringling College Library Association Town Hall
  • National Association of Women Lawyers
  • Microsoft
  • Edmonton Police Foundation
  • Campbell Young Leaders
  • West Texas A&M University
  • Columbus Academy
  • Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation and DaVita
Rave Reviews About Liz Murray
“
Liz Murray’s ability to connect with the audience was amazing. Our guests had nothing in common with her early life; her story played out in a world they could never even imagine. Yet from the moment she took the stage, everyone was locked in. There was laughter, there were some tears, and such enrapt silence in between that you could have heard a pin drop. (That sounds trite but is exactly what one of our major donors said later.) I’ve never attended a fundraising event at which a speaker had this much impact. For me, the best way to describe Liz Murray on stage is that she shines. Her humanity, her love, her great desire to connect and inspire absolutely shines through in her face and her words. It is unforgettable.

”
More rave reviews

"I think our attendees fell completely in love with Liz. She was spectacular and we are so thankful she was able to be part of our first ever virtual conference. There wasn’t a dry-eye to be found..."

-National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

"Liz Murray was a delight and the event was a success! She could not have been easier to work with. She was gracious both at our event and an extra event she agreed to appear at the next morning at a local foundation. Her story resonated with our audience as homelessness is a real issue in Sarasota, FL and she humanized the topic for them. Everyone was on the edge of their seats throughout her presentation. Content was A+ and delivery was A+. There was even chatter of other groups wanting to bring her back. Would recommend her to anyone!"

-Ringling College Library Association Town Hall

"We were so honored to have Liz Murray speak to our group. Liz is a powerful mix of humor, inspiration and humility. She kept the audience in rapt attention while telling her deeply moving story of resilience."

-National Association of Women Lawyers

"The Women’s Retreat was a huge success last week in Philadelphia and Liz Murray, naturally, was amazing! She closed out our event with just the right tone, message and feeling and did a terrific job of helping us land our theme of Purpose which clearly, is what she is all about."

-Microsoft

"Liz Murray absolutely hit it out of the park. Liz’s first appearance was in front of several hundred at risk youth in the Edmonton area and the feedback was universally positive. She was described as “engaging”, “honest” and “real” by the teachers and student alike."

-Edmonton Police Foundation

"Without exaggeration, I have to say that Liz Murray changed lives yesterday...the lives of our supporters, the lives of our faculty and staff, and the lives of our students. Today, we are putting our new lives into the perspective Liz shared with us. Our hearts and minds are full."

-Campbell Young Leaders

"It was a life changing event for so many of us. She spoke before a packed auditorium."

-West Texas A&M University

"Liz Murray was wonderful. She was incredibly engaging and her messages were powerful. Our students, especially, really liked her and many commented she has been the best speaker we have had at the school."

-Columbus Academy

"What a tremendous honor it was to have Liz share her encouraging story with our audience of more than 700 people. She was so gracious and funny in her delivery. We have received glowing feedback about all aspects of the luncheon. Without your efforts and support, the event would not have achieved such high honors. I just want to add that I can’t go anywhere without being approached by people who were at the luncheon and want to tell me how profoundly moved they were by Liz. In 12 years, I have never felt the kind of energy we had that day at a Chamber event."

-Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation and DaVita

"Liz Murray was wonderful! The students and staff were moved and inspired by her presentation. She was such a trooper, signing books and taking pictures with us. She's absolutely the best."

-Kamehameda Secondary School
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Liz Murray: Falling in love with possibility in your life | TEDxYouth@SanDiego - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Liz Murray
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Giving Back: Extending Corporate Values into Your Community

While the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility galvanized the business world years ago, companies and organizations continue to voluntarily increase the steps they take to improve the quality of life for their communities and society at large. Employees play a key role in community-based init ...

While the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility galvanized the business world years ago, companies and organizations continue to voluntarily increase the steps they take to improve the quality of life for their communities and society at large. Employees play a key role in community-based initiatives, but more importantly have an innate desire to be part of something bigger than themselves. Liz Murray’s inspirational story challenges the audience to recognize the opportunity we each have to make a lasting contribution on another person’s life. Employees will find themselves re-charged and ready to step-up as community leaders.

From Homeless to Harvard

A story so powerful it was made into a movie, Liz Murray shares her fascinating, inspirational story of growing up with two drug addicted parents who she began supporting at age 10. Homeless at age 15, the death of her mother was the wake-up call that made her break free of her circumstances and pur ...

A story so powerful it was made into a movie, Liz Murray shares her fascinating, inspirational story of growing up with two drug addicted parents who she began supporting at age 10. Homeless at age 15, the death of her mother was the wake-up call that made her break free of her circumstances and pursue a different path for her life. While living on the streets of New York, she completed and graduated from high school in just two years. Overcoming horrible odds, she won a full scholarship and was accepted to Harvard University. Murray offers one of the most moving, elegant and uplifting tales you will ever hear.

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Speaker News

Liz Murray’s story – from homelessness to Harvard – amazes audience and will inspire your team to new heights

Few speakers match the inspirational power of LIZ MURRAY – who has received only the highest praise for her sought-after events. The story Liz shares is captivating; her journey from homelessness in her teens to attending one of the world’s most prestigious universities is a message of perseverance and possibility. Now a poverty awareness advocate and advocate for underserved youth, Liz earned her high school diploma in just two years and won a scholarship to Harvard. Liz authored her bestselling memoir, Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard, which was immediately made into a film – Homeless to Harvard – and was nominated for three Emmy Awards. For groups looking for a speaker who will inspire your team to new heights, no matter the goal or challenge at hand, Liz and her story deliver results.

Liz is now the co-founder of The Arthur Project – working to redefine youth mentoring to expand the power of relationships in a child’s life. Liz’s work, her tenacity, and her message of possibility resonate with audiences of all kinds, from the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors to Microsoft, from the National Association of Women Lawyers to West Texas A&M University. The comments Liz receives for each engagement speak for themselves:

  • “I’ve never attended a fundraising event at which a speaker had this much impact. For me, the best way to describe Liz Murray on stage is that she shines.” – HomeFirst
  • "Liz Murray was a delight and the event was a success! She could not have been easier to work with. Content was A+ and delivery was A+. Would recommend her to anyone!" – Ringling College Library Association Town Hall
  • "Without exaggeration, I have to say that Liz Murray changed lives yesterday... The lives of our supporters, the lives of our faculty and staff, and the lives of our students. Today, we are putting our new lives into the perspective Liz shared with us. Our hearts and minds are full.” – Campbell Young Leaders

Watch Liz Murray talk about mentorship for Women’s History Month >>

Watch Liz Murray discuss gratitude with The Nantucket Project >>

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Books by Liz Murray
Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard

Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard

Homeless to Harvard - The Liz Murray Story (DVD)

Homeless to Harvard - The Liz Murray Story (DVD)

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Biography

The child of drug-addicted parents who routinely ate from dumpsters and sought refuge at all-night subway stations to survive, Liz Murray was homeless at age 15—and fending for her life. Determined not to be defined by her circumstances, she recognized education as the key to a fresh beginning and a whole new way of living. She earned her high school diploma in just two years and won a scholarship to Harvard University that would turn her bleak circumstances into a future filled with limitless possibility. With sincerity, maturity and graciousness, Murray takes audiences along on her personal journey from street smarts to classroom triumphs, instantly becoming an inspiration to both student groups and business audiences alike in need of the motivation to overcome their own obstacles. She is the author of Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard, which became the film Homeless to Harvard and was nominated for three Emmy Awards. Murray graduated from Harvard in 2009, and went on to receive her Masters in the Psychology of Education at Columbia University. Today, as co-founder of The Arthur Project, Murray is a passionate advocate for under served youth, working to end generational poverty through relationship-based learning.

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