Susan Ahn Cuddy - Trailblazing Pioneer

Susan Ahn Cuddy was rejected for US Navy Officer's School. She was definitely qualified. "I had a friend at the Univerity of Southern California Dean of Women's office, and she was a little upset, and she said: "Let me find out why you were denied." Her friend went down to the local Navy office and found out Cuddy was denied because she was Korean.

"We were unusual in those days, and we looked like the enemy. So anyway, they didn't accept me which was o.k. -- I didn't care. But a month later they wrote me and said that I could enlist. And you know, there's a big discrimination between officers and enlisted. So I went down to the board and I said: "I was refused to become an officer. What's my situation?" And they said: "Oh, you can work your way up to be a Chief Petty Officer." I said "Fine" and so I joined!"

Susan Ahn Cuddy frequently enjoyed the writings of Maya Angelou. Almost every day during the last few years of her life she would read Angelou's words and reflect on her own life.To anyone who learns about her life both of these quotes could be her mantra. "If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be." and "I can change by what happens to me. But, I refuse to be reduced by it."

A broad variety of things happened to Cuddy throughout her 100 years. These experiences impacted her life. Through numerous obstacles and disappointments she achieved amazing accomplishments many people would not dare to achieve or have the courage to try.

"Susan Cuddy used to tell me: 'Life wasn't fair.' It took me a while to understand what she meant." Racism, inter-racial issues, Japanese spies, sexism and growing up without a father are examples some of the experiences that were not fair to her. She overcame the tremendous challenge of being a trailblazer through sincere persistence and having the courage to do the right thing.

Fair or not throughout her life she really made the best of everything. She traveled many places. Everyone she influenced was better off by knowing her. She treated everyone politely and gave everyone a fair chance.

What would Cuddy think about the many changes around the world that have taken place since 2015? The Ahns were migrant farm workers in America struggling to make a life in the early 1900's. Racism was no stranger. She grew up during the Japanese Occupation of Korea her parents' homeland.  She was right in the heart of DC with a direct view of how the United States dealt with its citizens and with the world. At one time she had her finger on the pulse of Japan and Russia. She was no stranger to questionable foreign policies and how world leaders employed them. Overblown egos, dishonesty and limited knowledge of the characters in the current nightmare of political affairs would be highly dissapointing. The lack of sound character among American and foreign leaders would concern Cuddy. The loss of what truth and justice means would alarm her.

Cuddy made clearly impacted history for one person. In positive ways Suan Ahn Cuddy changed the lives of many. Absolutely an amazing life...