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Pamelee Murphy has dedicated her life to creating access for those who need it most. A retired attorney whose career broke barriers during a time when women were rarely welcome in the practice of law, Pamelee has established a donor-advised fund at the Rhode Island Foundation. Its purpose represents a passionate commitment to equity.

"Access – that's my story," Pamelee says with conviction. "I have been and will be committed to access and justice, focused on those who don't have opportunity or advantage."

The Pamelee McFarland Murphy Fund reflects the values of philanthropy and generosity that she and her late husband, Ray, cultivated together. "He was a giver, not a taker. He was a rare human being," she shares. "Ray was dedicated to finding wonderful ways to do good with what he had."

Drawing from her experiences as a parent of two children with learning differences, Pamelee is working to make quality education possible for everyone. "I had the resources to take care of my kids," she acknowledges, "but no child should sit in a classroom thinking they are stupid or odd...they should not be passed on and passed by without the learning and services that they need."

Pamelee’s advocacy extends beyond her family. After attending college and studying abroad in Thailand, she forged a remarkable legal career working as a poverty lawyer and as volunteer counsel for the ACLU, both in Rhode Island and Florida. She also travelled across the country to assist the American Bar Association in studying access to legal counsel for death row defendants. As a volunteer lawyer for the arts, she represented artists who couldn't afford legal services.

Meaningful arts and literacy initiatives are also central to Pamelee’s philanthropy. At the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School and at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, she supports music education and its performance. Meanwhile, at the Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition, she tutors first graders, to inspire a love for reading. "To encourage them and praise them...it's so rewarding.”

Working with the Rhode Island Foundation gives Pamelee confidence in her giving. "I know that I'll have expert guidance from the Foundation on these issues," she notes.  

Goals for the fund include educational access for children and adults, music instruction, support for those with learning challenges, literacy initiatives, financial education, and access to the judicial system. Through this fund, Pamelee continues a lifelong journey to share intellectual and financial resources to open closed doors.