Ever heard of Liz Murray? How she went from being homeless to graduating from Harvard University? Sounds like an incredible story, doesn’t it? But what you might not know is how difficult her life really was.
Picture this: Growing up in the Bronx with parents who struggled with drug addiction. Liz’s family went through a lot, and at one point, they ended up homeless. She and her sister moved from shelter to shelter, sometimes sleeping on the streets. Through it all, Liz kept going. She didn’t let those hard times stop her.
Want to know how she turned her life around? Her story is a testament to how much can be achieved through hard work and belief in yourself. Let’s take a closer look at her journey.
Table of content
A Tough Start: Childhood and Homelessness
Liz Murray was born in 1980 in the Bronx. Her parents battled drug addiction, and because of this, her childhood was full of instability. By the time Liz was a teenager, her family became homeless, and she found herself in shelters and on the streets. Her parents were not able to care for her and her sister.
In an interview, Liz said:
“My home life was so unpredictable. It wasn’t like I was being raised. It was like I was existing.”
Even though Liz faced so much difficulty, she didn’t give up on herself. She knew she had to keep going, no matter how tough it got.
A Turning Point: Education as a Way Out
At 16, Liz made a decision that would change everything. She realized that education was her chance to escape her situation. She enrolled in an alternative high school for students who had fallen behind, and she worked hard to catch up.
Even though she was still living in shelters, Liz stayed focused on her studies. She found places like libraries to study and worked as hard as she could to finish her high school education. Liz said:
“The turning point for me came when I realized that no matter what my circumstances were, I had the ability to change my life. That was my choice.”
The Road to Harvard
Liz kept pushing forward with her education, and soon, she started thinking about going to college. She applied to schools, and she was awarded a scholarship for homeless students. The scholarship was a turning point that brought her closer to her dream of going to college.
The biggest surprise came when she was accepted to Harvard University. For someone who had been homeless just a few years earlier, this seemed impossible. But Liz made it happen.
She balanced work and studies, paying her way through school with part-time jobs. Liz didn’t always feel like she belonged at Harvard. She was surrounded by students from wealthy backgrounds, and sometimes it felt like they had everything she had dreamed of. But Liz stuck with it.
She said:
“I was constantly comparing myself to others who had grown up with opportunities I had never dreamed of. But I realized, I was where I was because I earned it. I worked for it.”
Challenges at Harvard
Though getting into Harvard was a huge accomplishment, it didn’t mean everything was easy. Liz faced financial difficulties and often felt like an outsider. But despite those challenges, she continued to push forward, refusing to let anything stand in the way of her education.
During her time at Harvard, Liz learned a lot about her own strength. She realized that her past didn’t define her, and with hard work, she could achieve anything.
Read More : Temple Grandin: The Girl Who Thought Like a Cow that Changed the World
After Harvard: Achievements and Giving Back
What is Liz Murray education?
Liz Murray earned a degree in psychology from Columbia University after initially attending Harvard.
where does Liz get a job after attending harvard?
After graduating from Harvard, Liz didn’t stop there. She became an author and wrote a memoir called Breaking Night, which became a bestseller. Her story was also made into a movie, Homeless to Harvard, which inspired many people around the world.
lot of people have question in mind that where does Liz get a job after attending harvard? but let me tell you Liz decided to become a motivational speaker and traveled to different places, sharing her story with others. She focused on helping at-risk youth and advocating for the power of education. She wanted to show people that no matter where you come from, you can change your life.
What is interesting fact about Liz Murray?
An interesting fact about Liz Murray is that she completed high school in just two years while homeless!
Liz often said:
“I didn’t have the perfect life, but I learned that no matter what your situation is, you have the power to change it. You can always rewrite your story.”
What We Can Learn from Liz Murray story
Liz Murray’s story teaches us many important lessons:
- Resilience: Even when life is tough, you can push through and keep going.
- The Importance of Education: Education can be the key to changing your life, no matter your background.
- Believe in Yourself: Liz’s story shows that if you believe in yourself, you can accomplish amazing things.
- Perseverance Pays Off: Even when things aren’t easy, keep going. Hard work and determination will get you where you want to be.
- Your Past Doesn’t Define You: No matter what your past is, you can create the future you want.
Liz Murray’s story is proof that anything is possible. From being homeless to graduating from Harvard, she showed us that with enough hard work, determination, and self-belief, you can overcome any challenge. Liz has truly rewritten her story, and now she inspires others to do the same.
Amazon Affiliate
Want to Know More About Liz Murray’s Life?
If Julia Child’s journey inspired you, then we have some great recommendations for you
Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard by Liz Murray
“Breaking Night” is Liz Murray’s inspiring memoir that tells how she rose from a homeless teenager in New York City to a Harvard graduate. It’s a powerful story of resilience, forgiveness, and the transformative power of education.
Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story
Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story” is the inspiring memoir of Liz Murray’s extraordinary journey from living on the streets of New York to graduating from Harvard, driven by perseverance and hope.
Power behind this inspirational The Liz Murray Story
Breaking Night a book written by Liz Murray
Homeless to Harvard (Film) on IMDb
Time ABP Speaker Interview – “From Homeless to Harvard: An Interview with Liz Murray”
