Today we’d like to introduce you to Patience Murray.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Patience Murray, I am an Author, Artist, Speaker, Entrepreneur, and Mass Shooting Survivor To Champion. Everything I do is about reminding people that life after a tragedy can exist by being a living example. My organization Pages of Poetry is a platform for people to share their stories of pain and resilience with the world.
What began as an international online poetry competition for the past two years has evolved into a live show and self-publishing consultancy. I have a podcast for women trauma survivors like myself called “Healing Her Halo,” which is now entering its 2nd season. Gun violence survivors have a special place in my heart, so I created the Gun Violence Champion Awards to financially and emotionally help survivors and their families heal and recover because injury-related expenses are not covered by the government.
My husband Alex and I grew up feeling like underdogs our entire lives, both being born and raised in Philadelphia. When I was shot twice and held hostage in the Pulse Nightclub shooting on June 12th, his baby sister, Akyra Murray, was also shot and killed that night. Through our grief and pain – we fell in love. Alex later proposed to me at the Miami Heat Arena, and from there we went on to have an Emmy-Nominated Wedding Docu-series called “Sincerely, Patience,” produced by NFL Eagles Entertainment.
Now we are both living in South Florida, and my husband created a frozen treat company called “W.O.W Ice,” in honor of his sister Akyra, to continue her legacy and to transition our family from tragedy to triumph. We recently signed new partnership deals with GoPuff and The Licking, and have no signs of slowing down.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing up without a mother, and dealing with a bipolar and alcoholic father – was tough. Any family member I ever lived with was challenging feeling like a burden everywhere I went. Then once I finally made it out of Philly to NYU, my dream school, during my summer break I was shot and held hostage in the Pulse Nightclub shooting.
My brother Kevin died at 34 in 2020. And my marriage hasn’t been the smoothest walk in the park either, as you could imagine, with two traumatized people trying to love each other in a healthy way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am proudest of writing and publishing my own book called “Survive Then Live.” However, my artistry, creativity, and compassion for others are what really sets me apart from other people. Everything I do has the intention to genuinely help other hurting people. As an artist, I create music to uplift and inspire the communities I’ve been gathering through all of my many endeavors.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Yes, my book Survive Then Live, Pages of Poetry, Healing Her Halo, Gun Violence Champion Awards, and W.O.W Ice.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.wowiceco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paecarter/?hl=en
- SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/patience-murray-26391281
Image Credits
The Moth Philip Gabriel Photography
