FBL : Our Billboards

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COMMENTS ON THIS BILLBOARD

May 16, 2008

>> I admire your willingness to pay the price to accomplish something, Liz. One of the most difficult things in life is perseverance, for many good and even lofty goals have become intentions at best. But to those who can persevere, regardless of the cost, this is a true testimony to the fulfillment of the heart of man. I saw the movie and can't wait for my kids to watch and be inspired by your story. Your example is important to me as I press on through declining vision to continue my painting (canvasses, not walls!). Thanks, Liz! Timothy Chambers www.timothychambers.com Tim C., Purcellville, Virginia

May 15, 2008

>> Liz, your story is very inspiring. As a single mother of two who works full time and goes to school, I often feel overwhelmed and want to give up on school. I remind myself of your story, you give me the motivation to keep going. Bless you! Stephanie S., Texas

>> The world really needs more people like Liz. I certainly know we have too many kids who get made fun of at school- I sincerely commend Liz for rising above this and letting it drive her on instead of push her down. Matthew S., Wisconsin

May 13, 2008

>> I'm so proud of liz. Bless her. Priscilla C., Virginia

>> Rising from the ashes of broken days, a burning ember burst forth into flame, shining as a touch, an example to all, melding into the very fibers of life, where hope shall have it's way. Robert E., Nashville, TN

Apr 25, 2008

>> Liz's story is truly inspirational. On the other hand Liz is also gifted. Her intellectual abilities are not common to the poor. Sometimes this story is presented as if all you have to do is try hard but with that one has to also be talented and sharp in thinking. Bless you Liz, you are a hero! Glenda C.,

Apr 12, 2008

>> Way to go Liz! Even with your crummy beginnings, you overcame your adversities and soared higher than most! Keep up the great work! Rebecca T., USA

Apr 10, 2008

>> One should be thankful for the tough times in life because tough times make us the better person and people like liz are standing examples of tough times and by with standing those tough times...she has set an example for others. Karunakar,Koyyada, India,hyderabad

Mar 23, 2008

>> Great heart, great vision, great mind. The world is a better place because of her example. Larry C, Chicago

Mar 1, 2008

>> I am very proud of Liz, I and other people I know look up to this wonderful girl I call an angel. She touches everyone's heart. We love you Liz! Deborah C., Worcester, Massachusetts USA

>> I just saw the movie "Homeless to Harvard" and I would like to thank you for this lesson of bravery, strength and determination. In my childhood I lost my mom because of illness and I had to grow very rapidly to help my dad look after my little brother and sister. And at this time I'm a student at university and trying to become someone, like my mum wanted. I thought my life was hard but after seeing the movie of your life I realize that my childhood was of course not the worst. The movie made me think and gave me more strength to achieving my goals: finishing my studies, becoming professor and living my passion. Thanks a lot Liz and take care of you. Rebecca K., France

Feb 27, 2008

>> Your are a living inspiration for all of us and as a professor I had had the opportunity to use your movie to help others to see that there is always hope and to motivated them to reach the stars of life. Mary L., Ponce, Puerto Rico

Nov 15, 2007

>> I too had an extremely difficult childhood. I was four when my Mother died. I too was able to overcome my difficult childhood and become successful. Now I'm a Grandmother and extremely happy! Resiliency is also helpful! Shirley M., Knoxville, Tennessee USA

Nov 13, 2007

>> I find Liz Murray's story truly inspirational and I am glad I was able to learn of her accomplishments. Loreen T., Santa Rosa, California USA

Nov 6, 2007

>> I had the pleasure of listening to Liz speak today at a conference and she is an amazing person. She said life is all about making choices...."Listen to your what if's" and take chances. She's truly an inspiration! Grace F., New Jersey, USA

>> Just because I have more doesn't mean I am worth more. Jonathan L, New York City, New York USA

Oct 26, 2007

>> Malay proverb says "When there is a will, there is a way..." Go on Liz! Jokiden, Seremban, Malaysia

Oct 23, 2007

>> Great! It is a vitamin for those who search for success! Nalini S., Varansi, India

Oct 6, 2007

>> I have been deeply inspired by this billboard...Liz is my inspiration! Emiah C., Pleasant Hill, California USA

Sep 17, 2007

>> It's great to see people like Liz overcome their obstacles and they're a great example for others! Melanie T., Ballston Lake, New York USA

Sep 5, 2007

>> Thank you for this wonderful billboard and its prime location. I saw this billboard driving along highway 99 in California's Central Valley where unemployment and poverty is at double digits. Ambition lets us all know that everything is possible if you go after it. Rafael A., Visalia, California USA

Aug 27, 2007

>> I pass this billboard every day on the way to work in Philadelphia. Just looking at it gives me chills...reading the story today has inspired me on a whole other level. BP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

Aug 16, 2007

>> I love the billboards. I work for juvenile court in Bristol, Tennessee, and the billboard we have in our town is Liz Murray...I use that example often with these kids! Thank you!! Kim O., Bristol, Tennessee USA

Aug 14, 2007

>> This poster really gives you hope for all of our young people. I would love to have several of these posters to put in our high schools. Rhonda R., Rocky Mount, North Carolina USA

Aug 13, 2007

>> Wow, this puts everything into perspective. If Liz can do it, so can I, so can you! Rachelle L,, Colorado

>> We need more silent heroes like Liz in the lives of our students everyday. I get more comments on the FBL posters than any others I hang in my school. Keep going Liz! G. Smith, Ogden, Utah USA

>> Liz's story proves that we can do whatever we set our minds to it. Ingrid M., Kentucky, USA

Jul 26, 2007

>> This is really inspiring - makes me feel so humble, makes me feel I have no excuses for not pursuing my own aspirations which I had for so long. Thank you for this site. Mel D, India

Jul 24, 2007

>> A combination of time and the right opportunity leads to success and fulfillment. Henry A, Kuala Lumpur, MY

>> Goal setting is important, but doing is more important... Henry A, Kuala Lumpur, MY

Jul 4, 2007

>> If you have ambition in life and you act on it then everything will be on your way to a better future... Ronnaliza C, Philippines

Jul 3, 2007

>> I want a poster of this. Shaun D, Georgia

Jun 24, 2007

>> This billboard says it all. Andrew T, Australia

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENT

Liz Murray grew up in the Bronx, New York City. Addicted to drugs, her parents sometimes sold household items in order to get their fix. As a child, Liz hated school because when she did go, she was teased: there was no one to make sure that she showered or got up on time. As Liz grew older, her parents lost their apartment, and her father ended up in shelters. For a time Liz was placed in a group home. Her mother, who suffered from AIDS, became increasingly ill and was hospitalized. Rather than submit to the dehumanization and sadness that had characterized her experience in foster care, Liz chose to fend for herself. Liz slept on friends' couches or floors at odd hours, camped outside or rode the subway all night.

After her mother's death, Liz, then 16, felt that event as "a slap in the face" that caused her to question where her life was going. With an eighth-grade education, Liz decided that, as she said, "Life rewards action. I was going to go out there and... have action in my life every day instead of this stagnant behavior that I had been partaking in for so long."

Liz was admitted an alternative high school, the Humanities Preparatory Academy, where she doubled her course-load and completed high school in only two years. One of the top ten students in the school, Liz went on a school-sponsored trip to Boston and walked through Harvard Yard. "It's not as though I had some sort of epiphany at the moment ... It was just more that I got jealous of how these students had so much opportunities, and I'd felt that I'd had very little. And so then I thought, `Well, what's the difference between me and anyone here?' And I filled in all the gaps."

Her grades qualified Liz for the New York Times College Scholarship, and she applied for and was admitted to Harvard. But far from resting on those considerable laurels, Liz continued to break new ground. A member of the Washington Speakers' Bureau, Liz has found she has "a knack for" sharing her story and insights with audiences across the country. Her story was adapted for film by Lifetime Television in the 2003 film "Homeless to Harvard: the Liz Murray Story." Liz is also an avid writer whose memoirs, "Breaking Night," were published in 2005. Liz returned to New York City to care for her ill father, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in psychology and sociology at Columbia University.