Maria Murray of The Reading League Earns State Honor
(Syracuse Post-Standard | May 16, 2025) Maria Murray, president and CEO of The Reading League, has been named one of the 2025 Exceptional Women of Central New York, an annual award presented by New York State Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter. Murray is among 10 women recognized for leadership, service and lasting contributions to the Central New York community.
Murray, who grew up in Syracuse, holds a Ph.D. in reading education from Syracuse University School of Education. Murray worked alongside Trustee Professor Emerita of Education and Psychology Benita Blachman, a reading scientist whose federally funded research on reading instruction was foundational to the formation of The Reading League. TRL has grown from Murray’s kitchen table and a $300 budget to 39 state chapters, plus one in the District of Columbia.
This latest honor follows several recent recognitions of Murray’s leadership. In 2024, she was named to the ‘CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards list, highlighting the top 50 fastest-growing businesses founded by SU alumni. More recently, she was named Nonprofit Executive of the Year by the CNY Business Journal to recognized Murray’s exceptional leadership and national influence in driving systemic change in reading education.