In the heart of the Bronx, New York, Liz Murray was born into a world that seemed stacked against her. Her parents were both drug addicts, and her childhood was marked by hunger, instability, and neglect. By the age of 15, Liz was homeless sleeping on subway trains, park benches, and stairwells. Her mother had died of AIDS, and her father had moved into a shelter.
Despite the chaos of her life, Liz made a bold decision: she would go back to high school. Carrying her belongings in a plastic bag and often studying in hallways or stairwells, she completed four years of high school in just two. Her determination and academic excellence earned her a scholarship from "The New York Times".
Liz was accepted into Harvard University, a feat that stunned many who knew her story. She later transferred to Columbia University, to be closer to her father, who was terminally ill. Her journey from homelessness to the Ivy League became the subject of a Lifetime movie, Homeless to Harvard, and she went on to become a motivational speaker and author of the memoir Breaking Night.
Liz Murray's story is a testament to the power of grit, hope, and the belief that no matter how dire your circumstances, you can rewrite your narrative. Her resilience didn't just change her life-it's inspired countless others to believe in second chances and the strength within themselves.
When life gives you every reason to give up, what makes someone keep going?
For Liz Murray, the answer was simple: hope-and the belief that education could change everything.
