"My passion now is to help transform the lives of others."

Liz Murray

Murray was born in the Bronx, New York, to poor, and drug-addicted parents who would later each contract HIV. She became homeless just after she turned 15, when her mother died of AIDS, and her father moved to a homeless shelter. Murray's life turned around when she began attending the Humanities Preparatory Academy in Chelsea, Manhattan.  Though she started high school later than most students, and remained without a stable home while supporting herself and her sister, Murray graduated in only 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.

She left Harvard in 2001 to care for her sick father and to start motivational speaking; she resumed her education at Columbia University to be closer to him. According to her book Breaking Night, her older sister, Lisa, graduated from Purchase College in New York State and is a school teacher for autistic children.  In late 2006, her father died of AIDS.  She eventually returned to Harvard in 2006 and graduated in June 2009.  As of August 2009, she had begun taking graduate courses at Harvard Summer School and would like to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology to counsel people from all walks of life.

She is the founder and director of Manifest Living, a company that provides a series of workshops that empower adults to create the extraordinary things in their lives.  A made-for-TV film about Murray's life Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story, was released in 2003.

The MEAPA Way suggests that individuals, business, schools, communities and other organizations can learn a variety of lessons from this story by watching this interview with Murray and answeirng the following questions:

• What is Murray's vision for her life?
• What does the term "Breaking the Night refer to?
  
• What do you find most impressive about her life story?
  
• What are some examples of her resourcefulness?
• Does she demonstrate the habit of self-improvement? Explain your answer
• How does her story illustrate the ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable?
  
• How can you use Murray's message for your personal and professional development as you seek to develop a vision for your life, become more resourceful or practice self-improvement?