Commissioner Sandra Murman to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Having made children’s issues the hallmark of her public service career, Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra L. Murman will receive the first Lifetime Achievement Award for Children’s Advocacy from the Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough County. 

The presentation will take place at the annual statewide Early Childhood Conference Friday, June 14 at 9 a.m. in the first-floor ballroom of Embassy Suites Tampa, 3705 Spectrum Blvd in Tampa. 

As a community advocate and policy leader, 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. 

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,” said 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.