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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Author

Liz Murray

Liz Murray is an American memoirist and motivational speaker known for being admitted to Harvard University after experiencing homelessness during her high school years.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Liz Murray is an American memoirist and motivational speaker known for overcoming homelessness as a teenager and gaining admission to Harvard University.

What it is

Liz Murray's story is one of resilience: raised in poverty in the Bronx by parents with drug addiction, she became homeless after her mother's death. She returned to school, completed high school, and earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating in 2009. Her life was adapted into the 2003 Lifetime film *Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story*, and she later published the *New York Times* bestselling memoir *Breaking Night*.

Why it matters

Murray's journey highlights the power of education and mentorship in breaking cycles of poverty. She has since built a career as a motivational speaker, working with Washington Speakers Bureau since 1999, and co-founded The Arthur Project, a youth mentoring organization. Her story resonates with Canadian audiences through international media coverage and speaking engagements.

Key details

Born Elizabeth Murray on September 23, 1980, in the Bronx, New York. She attended Harvard University and graduated in 2009. Her memoir *Breaking Night* became a bestseller. She continues to speak publicly about resilience, opportunity, and education, and remains active in youth advocacy.

In short

  • Liz Murray went from homelessness in high school to Harvard University.
  • Her story was made into the film *Homeless to Harvard* and her memoir *Breaking Night*.
  • She works as a motivational speaker and co-founded The Arthur Project youth mentoring program.
Canadian angle

Liz Murray has relevance for Canadian readers through her international speaking career and media coverage in Canadian outlets, including reporting on her memoir and life story.

Quick questions

Who is Liz Murray?
Liz Murray is an American memoirist and motivational speaker best known for going from homelessness in high school to being admitted to Harvard University.
What is Liz Murray known for?
She is known for her memoir *Breaking Night*, her Harvard admission after homelessness, and the film *Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story* based on her life.
How did Liz Murray overcome homelessness?
She returned to school, completed her high school education, earned a scholarship to Harvard, and used education and support from mentors to rebuild her life.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Murray
    Supports: Birth date, American memoirist and inspirational speaker, Harvard admission, memoir, The Arthur Project, Washington Speakers Bureau
  2. Paz de Cristo — https://pazdecristo.org/about-liz-murray/
    Supports: Early life, homelessness, Harvard scholarship, mentoring work, memoir, speaking
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-12367021
    Supports: Homelessness to Harvard, public speaking, motivational speaker role, Manifest Living
  4. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/26/liz-murray-bronx-harvard
    Supports: Harvard graduate, bestseller memoir, international speaking
  5. NPR — https://www.npr.org/transcripts/129753532
    Supports: Memoir, Harvard graduation, public speaking, Washington Speakers Bureau, Manifest Living
  6. The Globe and Mail — https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/liz-murray-shares-her-tale-of-life-from-homeless-to-harvard/article1314532/
    Supports: Canadian coverage, Harvard graduation, professional speaker, advocacy