COMMISSIONER MURMAN AWARDED LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CHAMPIONING CHILDREN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  District 1 Commissioner Murman’s Office (813) 272-5470

Having made children’s issues the hallmark of her public service career, Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra L. Murman received the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award for Children’s Advocacy from the Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough County (ECC).  The presentation took place at the annual statewide Early Childhood Conference on June 14 in the first floor ballroom of Embassy Suites Tampa, located at 3705 Spectrum Blvd in Tampa.

As a community advocate and policy leader, Commissioner Murman has been directly involved in more than 20 organizations that enhance the lives of children and families. Fulfilling her lifelong dream of bringing a children’s museum to Tampa Bay, Murman led the capital campaign to raise $16 million to build the new Glazer Children’s Museum and became Chair of the museum’s Board of Directors.  Commissioner Murman has also served on the Prepaid College Foundation Board, the Florida Taxwatch Commission on Education Performance and Accountability, Florida Healthy Kids Foundation, and the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County.   As a civic leader, she has championed Junior Achievement, Hillsborough Kids, Inc., The Children’s Home, Healthy Start Coalition, Phoenix House, Mental Health Care Foundation and was founding director of LLT Charter School.

“Sandy has been on the frontline for a lot of causes for children and families,” said Stephen C. Martaus, executive director of the ECC. “She is absolutely deserving of this honor, and we are privileged to have such a strong supporter in the state and here in Tampa Bay.”

“I am deeply honored by this recognition of my passion and grateful to have partnered with so many leaders in the community to build valuable programs for youth.  However, we still have work to do in the community to provide all of our children with a solid foundation for success in life through health, education, the arts and activities,” stated Commissioner Murman.

The Early Childhood Conference provides education and professional development to early childhood specialists, case managers, child care personnel, psychologists, social workers, community leaders and others involved and interested in early childhood development.