Unit 5: Empowering Women Globally

Susan Retik lost her husband David on American Airlines Flight 11, which was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. At the time, they had two children and Susan was pregnant with their third. After September 11th, Susan and her friend Patti Quigley, another September 11th widow, started the organization Beyond the 11th to aid widows in Afghanistan who have been affected by war, terrorism, and oppression. Beyond the 11th awards grants to programs that help Afghan widows gain the skills necessary to earn their own income.