Marilyn Paul risked her safety to train a mixed group of Israeli and Palestinian health care professionals in the Gaza Strip. After earning her PhD in organization and management, Paul began a post-doctoral fellowship at the Hebrew University in 1987. It was then that she agreed to run a management development program for health professionals in the Gaza Strip. Paul traveled to Gaza once a week in either a convoy or a UN vehicle, since it was not safe for her to travel there alone. Thirty Palestinians and six Israelis took part in the course; the Palestinians were particularly at risk, because their participation was seen by some members of their communities as collaboration with Israelis. Paul was deeply moved by the participants’ willingness to take risks to educate themselves and to establish meaningful relationships with those across the political divide. Paul continues her work as an organizational consultant and coach in Israel.

Marilyn Paul was honored at the 2000 Women Who Dared event in Boston.