Focus of 'Homeless to Harvard' to speak at women's luncheon

COEUR d'ALENE — The Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber on Friday announced that Liz Murray, co-founder of The Arthur Project, will be the keynote speaker for the fourth annual Women's Luncheon. Presented by Numerica Credit Union, the event is scheduled Nov. 1 at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"We are honored to have Liz Murray as our keynote speaker," said Linda Coppess, president and CEO of the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber. "Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the impact that one person can have on the world. We look forward to hearing her inspiring message at our Women's Luncheon."

Raised in the Bronx by two loving but drug-addicted parents, Murray grew up in poverty, often without enough food and chronically absent from school, a press release said. At age 15, after her mother passed away, she found herself homeless, living on the streets, riding the subway all night and scavenging for food in dumpsters. 

"Despite these hardships, Murray always envisioned a better life for herself," the release said.

Determined to change her circumstances, and with the support of friends, Murray completed high school in two years. She was awarded a full scholarship to Harvard University, all while living in New York City parks and subway stations. Murray graduated from Harvard in 2009 and earned her master's degree in the psychology of education from Columbia University. 

Murray's life story was adapted into a Lifetime Television movie, "Homeless to Harvard," which was nominated for three Emmy Awards. She has received numerous accolades, including the White House "Project's Role Model Award" and Oprah Winfrey's first-ever "Chutzpah Award." Her memoir, "Breaking Night," is a New York Times bestseller and has been published in 12 countries in eight languages.

As co-founder of The Arthur Project, a mentoring program that works with at-risk youth throughout middle school, Murray is dedicated to ending generational poverty through relationship-based learning. 

"Murray believes that having a relationship with at least one caring, dedicated adult can make all the difference in the life of a child facing extreme adversity," the release said.

Tickets: bit.ly/3xVIIOx