On Sunday, October 9, 2016 the 16th annual Maryse and Ramzy Mikhail Memorial Lecture will feature Laila El-Haddad, an award-winning Palestinian writer, documentarian and public speaker who frequently lectures on Gaza, the intersection of food and politics, and contemporary Islam. She is the author of Gaza Mom: Palestine, Politics, Parenting, and Everything In Between, co-author of the critically acclaimed The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey and co-editor of Gaza Unsilenced. She is also a policy advisor with al-Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network. She was recently featured in Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown Episode “Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza” as his guide in the Gaza Strip.
From 2003-2007, El-Haddad was the Gaza correspondent for the Al Jazeera English website and a regular contributor to the BBC World Service. During this time, she co-directed two Gaza-based documentaries, including the Tunnel Trade. A graduate of Duke University and the Harvard Kennedy School, she is the recipient of the Clinton Scholarship, as well as the Inspiration for Hope and the Literary Leadership Awards.
Born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents from Gaza, she currently lives in Clarksville, Maryland with her husband and their three children.
The Mikhail Endowment Fund was originally established through a donation from the Mikhail family to honor the work and contributions of Maryse Mikhail and her involvement in educational, philanthropic and interfaith organizations. The main purpose of the fund is to support an annual lecture dealing with Arab culture, history, politics, economics, and other aspects of life in the Middle East including issues of peace and justice.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the fund to help ensure the continuation of the lecture series for years to come. Any amount is welcome, and checks should be made payable to the UT Foundation with a notation of the Maryse and Ramzy Mikhail Endowment Fund (#1301-005). Gifts may be sent to The University of Toledo Foundation, P.O. Box 586, Toledo, OH, 43607-0586. Secure online gifts may be made at give2UT.utoledo.edu. Please be sure to designate Fund #1301-005.
The Lecture Committee would appreciate having your e-mail address, and the addresses of friends who may be interested in receiving notices of future lectures, sent to mikhaillecture@gmail.com.
Maryse and Ramzy Mikhail Memorial Lecture 