Community Corner

"Homeless to Harvard" Woman is Keynote at NCJW Event

Bestselling author Liz Murray will speak at National Council of Jewish Women event.

 

Liz Murray, New York Times bestselling author and subject of the movie “Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story,” will be the keynote speaker for the 2012 Opening Event of the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section (NCJW/Essex) on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Wilshire Grand Hotel (350 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange). 

From the NCJW/Essex press release: 

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Overcoming incredible odds to elevate herself from a teenager living alone on the streets to winning a full Harvard University scholarship, Liz has been featured on ABC News "20/20,” "Good Morning America," the "Today Show" and CNN.  

Liz’s life is a triumph over adversity and a stunning example of the importance of dreaming big. Her life as the child of cocaine-addicted parents in the Bronx, New York was bitterly grim. There was never food in the house, everything was filthy, drugs were everywhere and the welfare checks were spent before they arrived. By age 15, Murray’s mom had died and she was homeless living on the streets, riding the subway all night and eating from dumpsters. Amidst this pain, Murray always imagined her life could be much better than it was.

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Determined to take charge, Murray finished high school in just two years while camping out in New York City parks and subway stations. Murray received her B.S. in Psychology from Harvard University in June 2009.

She wrote about her experiences in the bestselling book, “Breaking Night.” 

“Liz has lived an extraordinary life that certainly puts our own daily struggles into perspective,” said Karen Cherins, president NCJW/Essex. “We all look forward to hearing her story as she takes us on her very personal journey where she achieves the improbable.”   

The event is open to the public and is free to NCJW members and $20 for non-members. Advanced registration is required. A “V.I.P” dinner with Liz Murray is available for $75 per person including priority seating for the program. Reservations are required. Coffee and dessert will be served. Attendees can register for the event by calling 973-740-0588 or online at ncjwessex.org

Please bring non-perishable foods for Empty Bowls No More to any NCJW event. Visit the NCJW website for a full list of items.

 

 

 


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