Member Monday: Magen Murray
This Monday, we are featuring Junior League of Charlotte member Magen Murray as part of our Member Monday series. Magen is the chair of the Fall Fundraiser committee and currently works for Ally Financial. Read more about the Greensboro native below.
1) Thanks for taking time to share some personal insights with us today. Can you give us some background information- tell me about your family and early years.
I grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina and decided I wanted a big school for college, ultimately deciding on The University of Tennessee. Go VOLS! It was an amazing experience knowing not a soul and finding my own way. After college, I decided I wanted to move back to NC, but not to Greensboro, which is somewhat a small town. I landed on Charlotte, the perfect distance from my family in Greensboro and our beach house.
2) What is the best and worst decision you’ve ever made?
The best decision I ever made was going to The University of Tennessee. It gave me so much confidence in myself and my ability to be independent and make a life on my own. I don’t believe I’ve ever made a “worst decision.” I personally prefer to look at all decisions as a way to learn things about myself and others.
3) What woman inspires you and why?
Strong, Southern women inspire me, specifically my mother, grandmothers, and aunts. I have a very large family and am completely in awe by the strong women in my family. They give their all for their families. My mom is known by so many people as Mama Jill, and everywhere she goes people flock to her and want to be around her. She sticks to her values but doesn’t have to be in your face about it. I would say the women in my family know how to make things work through the good and the bad, and they do it with manners, grace, and strength.
4) From start to finish, what would your ideal day be like?
My ideal day would be at my parent’s beach house. I would start the day off with some sort of exercise, such as tennis or a walk; have lunch with my mom and friends and then hang at the beach; we would then have some wine on the back porch and head to a dinner that would probably get a little rowdy followed by a dance party on the back deck.
5) What keeps you up at night?
My to-do lists, making sure that I have everything written down so I don’t forget anything.
6) If you could tell your 23-year-old self one thing what would it be?
I would tell her that not everything is going to go according to plan, and that’s OK. You can’t plan your life down to the second and to put less pressure on yourself and enjoy the moment more.
7) One thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I can shoot a gun and hunt with the best of them. I can head to the farm with the boys and hang, which I am particularly proud of.
8) How has the Junior League helped you develop your potential, taught you something unique, and/or given you an opportunity that you never would have had otherwise?
The Junior League has helped me find my voice and be a better leader.
Written by Marielle Harris
