Elizabeth Murray (born September 23, 1980) is an American memoirist and inspirational speaker who is notable for having been accepted by Harvard University despite being homeless in her high school years.

Murray knew her survival depended on the job, so she ended up breaking all the sales records of the company, and made more than $8000 in two months.

[7] Despite her late high school start and lack of a stable home, Murray began attending the Humanities Preparatory Academy in Chelsea, Manhattan, graduating in two years.

[1] She was awarded a scholarship by The New York Times for needy students and was accepted into Harvard University,[1] matriculating in the fall semester of 2000.

[14] As of August 2009, she began taking graduate courses at Harvard Summer School with plans to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology and become a counselor.

[21] Murray made a speech at the annual conference of the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless at the Yakima Convention Center in 2007.

[31] The book landed on The New York Times Best Seller List within a week of its release and became an international bestseller published in twelve countries, in eight languages.

[36] On May 19, 2013, she was awarded an honorary doctorate of public service and gave the commencement address at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts.