This fall New College of Florida in Sarasota welcomes its inaugural class of Daughters for Life Scholars. The five young women come from Israel, Jordan, Palestine and Syria. They’re all studying at New College through full four-year scholarships offered through the Daughters for Life Foundation, which provides educational opportunities for promising women from Middle Eastern countries regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation.
The Foundation was founded by Palestinian physician, professor, author, peace activist and three time Nobel Peace prize nominee Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. While working as doctor in Gaza in 2009, Dr. Abuelaish’s three daughters were killed when his home was destroyed by shelling from an Israeli tank. He’s since become one of the most prominent voices for peace and development in the Middle East and his foundation aims to work toward that goal by fostering future women leaders through education and improving the lives of women. We’ll meet Dr. Abuelaish as well as the five Daughters for Life Scholars now studying in Sarasota.
Guests:
Izzeldin Abuelaish, MD, Founder of the Daughters for Life Foundation, Professor at University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, & author of “I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey.” Leen Al Fatafta, Jordanian student at New College of Florida
Najla Fawwaz, Israeli student at New College of Florida
Racha Masara, Syrian student at New College of Florida
Loureen Sayej, Palestinian student at New College of Florida
Ayah Tafesh, Palestinian student at New College of Florida
