Suzette Duncan is a study in resilience and purpose. She graduated from Amherst College and entered a PhD program. But 9/11 happened, and the things she wanted to talk about among her peers and instructors weren’t welcome, so she left the program to teach. She was really good at teaching, too, helping young people see themselves more fully.
In 2018, everything changed. A cascade of health crises forced her to step away from her career. What followed were years of uncertainty, discomfort, and rebuilding her health. Only recently has she reached a place where she can imagine working again.
Today, Suzette is figuring out what’s next. She’s tutoring, making art, writing, hosting a radio show, and considering an after‑school program that blends creativity with community. She reminds me that reinvention is possible at any age, and that the experiences we would never choose for ourselves can throw off unexpected silver linings.
Look up her radio show on KFJC.org under her alias, S.A.D. Cat.
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