Beyond Belief

Susan Retik and Patti Quigley were widowed on September 11, 2001. Their husbands were both victims of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, leaving their wives alone with their children and families. Although grief stricken at first, these two widows channeled their grief into growth by learning more about the country and people of Afghanistan, the country where the terrorists who killed their husbands were trained. They realized that this was a country suffering from 23 years of war. While Susan and Patti were tragically impacted by the events of 9/11, there were thousands of women in Afghanistan who were impacted in a similar way by the years of war in the country. Susan and Patti wanted to connect with these women. Although they were almost half way around the world and from a completely different culture, Patti and Susan knew that since 9/11 they had a connection to these Afghani women, a bond that would last forever. And with this in mind, they embarked on their journey and mission to help the lives of these Afghani widows in any way they possibly could.