A story of compassion that continues to inspire
I first met Susan Kristoferson through her husband, Larry Kapustka, at the 2016 SETAC World Congress in Orlando. We had already exchanged emails for two years, but meeting her in person left a profound mark on me.
"Susan exuded knowledge, intellect, passion, and a rare selflessness."
She introduced me to the Days for Girls project, and she and Larry travelled all the way to the meeting with a bag full of reusable sanitary pads for girls in rural South Africa.
One of the greatest lessons Susan imparted — without ever saying it aloud — was patience. When it took more than a year to distribute those pads, she never showed frustration. Instead, she offered empathy, understanding, and encouragement.
Her mentorship gently reshaped my thinking, deepened my awareness of women's struggles globally, and awakened my sense of purpose around socioeconomic justice.
