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Sarasota News Leader June 7, 2013 Officially the local program will be called "New College — Daughters for Life Community Initiative." It will provide for the tuition, fees, room, board and expenses of up to 10 qualified women. The first group, known as Daughters for Life Scholars, will be admitted in the fall of 2014. They will meet all the academic requirements of other incoming freshmen, including grades and test scores; plus, they must demonstrate a proficiency in English. The college has pledged to continue the effort as a pilot program for at least three years. The plan was officially announced by 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Charles Williams on May 24 at the New College commencement. Page 42 Williams and Box will serve on a steering committee to organize community support for the program, including identification of host families and fundraising. Abuelaish told those attending the press conference held at New College, "Education is the strongest and most effective weapon to face injustice. We need to strengthen the women and recognize their suffering and recognize the suffering of others. We should not turn a deaf ear or blind eyes." He hopes the Daughters for Life scholars will return to their homelands and work in their communities. Abeulaish was born in Gaza; he became the only Palestinian physician granted privileges to work in an Israeli hospital, where he served "Peace means listening and learning about as an obstetrician-gynecologist. His book has both sides and each other's cultures and dif- been translated into 17 languages. ferences, and we hope that everyone will Moreover, he has been nominated three times change and grow in their understanding," Wil- — including this year — for the Nobel Peace Prize. % liams said. Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish speaks from his office in Toronto, Canada, via Skype. Photo by Stan Zimmerman Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. Photo by Jacob Stevens via Wikimedia Commons