Remarkable Women Finalist: Lisa Murphy

Amy Russo
·2 min read

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Four women have been selected as finalists in WGNO’s campaign for Most Remarkable Woman of the New Orleans area.

Throughout the month of March, each woman will be featured on WGNO.

The first to be recognized is Lisa Murphy.

Making a positive impact on a person’s day — that’s Lisa’s mission every day.

“The motto for the New Orleans Mission is love God, love people. I just think that’s a great motto for life in general,” said Murphy. It’s a motto she lives by.

Murphy has worked with the New Orleans Mission for the last two years as both an employee and a consultant.

The mission serves 6,000 individuals per year on an emergency basis. Murphy builds the bridges to help get them the care they need.

French Quarter Fest to feature expanded music, food lineup in 2024

“I go have lunches and dinners and coffee and tell them about the mission,” explained Murphy. “I do presentations to various organizations, go to corporations, and do presentations.”

But life wasn’t always easy for Murphy. She began drinking at just 9 years old as she struggled with low self-esteem.

Knowing what rock bottom felt like, Murphy has now become the person she needed all those years ago.

“I’ve been sober for like 31 years and that’s my biggest weakness. I think that’s the way I tend to be used to help people who are going through addiction. Because of my past, I feel like I don’t think I’m judgmental. Wherever someone is, I want to get to know them and get to learn their experience and empathize and sympathize, whatever it may be,” said Murphy.

“She works harder than anyone I know,” said Meagan Murphy. She’s Lisa’s daughter, who nominated her mother for New Orleans Most Remarkable Woman. “She puts her all in everything. I wish she was a little more selfish, but she is a selfless person, so she works all day and all night even though it’s for things she doesn’t get any benefit of her own. She gets benefit from helping other people so that’s her purpose.”

Lisa sees people as people no matter the battle they’re fighting.

She works day into night — her purpose is to make sure everyone knows they’re loved.

“I always questioned was I doing the right thing? And then my daughter saw what was just normal life to me is something remarkable to write to you about,” said Murphy.

The winner of New Orleans Most Remarkable Woman will be announced on WGNO News at 11 a.m. on April 2.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Latest Posts

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.