In this memoir, you will see that in traditional cultures that respect wisdom and age, older, educated, energetic foreign women can overcome barriers that stop younger foreign co-workers.
•You will meet Afghans whose sacrifices for love illustrate the strength of the human heart.
•You will understand how it is possible to survive widowhood or heartache by following a compelling call to serve others on a large scale.
•You will see how one woman helps overcome perceived cultural barriers by applying the simple principles of inclusiveness, respect, and power-based negotiation.
About Dr. Suzanne Griffin
Oldest of four daughters born to two U.S. Navy Veterans, both of whom had careers in Education.
Grew up in Beaverton Oregon. Senior high school and college years were spent in San Francisco Bay Area and South Bend, Indiana while my parents pursued graduate degrees.
Earned a BA degree with honors, English Literature major and Education minor from St. Mary’s College Notre Dame, Indiana included a semester at University of Vienna, Austria.
Served with my husband Michael as a Peace Corps Field Team in Afghanistan for the first two years of our marriage. Taught English as a Second Language to grade school children in Kabul.
Taught English to Cuban Refugee Children for a year in Chicago and gave birth to our first daughter (Rachael).
Earned a MA degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from California State University, San Francisco and gave birth to our second daughter (Sarah). Earned tenure in the English Faculty` at University of San Francisco and co-authored multiple ESL textbooks and a BBC video series.
Earned a Ph.D. in Educational Communications and Technology from University of Washington while serving as refugee education program officer in two state agencies in Olympia (1983-1993).
Served as Dean for Instruction at South Seattle College 1993-2004 during which time my husband Michael passed away (1999).
Appointed as a US Department of State Senior English Language Specialist for Afghanistan (2012) and Armenia (2014).
Led and evaluated education programs for multiple international agencies and education institutions (Washington State University, Indiana University and University of Potsdam) in Afghanistan 2002-2017.
Currently a guest lecturer, trainer, education consultant and author in Seattle.