Diversity Dialogues
March 11, 2023
10 am
Inclusion or Exclusion
AAUW President, New Smyrna Beach Branch
Susan Wagner Carter began her career at age seventeen, working for one of the inventors of the Sperry Rand Univac Computer. Her career journey led down multiple paths. She served as a research assistant, press aide and Legislative Assistant to Congressman John Dellenback in 1968. At age 23, she was assigned as the caseworker to assist the parents of Duane Hodges in the recovery of his body from the North Koreans. Duane was the only young American killed onboard the USS Pueblo when it was captured by the North Koreans. Subsequently, her roles in government included serving on a Joint Presidential/Congressional Commission as Assistant Director; as Special Assistant to the US Comptroller of the Currency, regulating national banks, and as Executive Director of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, regulating national commodity exchanges. She also served in the Carter White House on a six month think tank preparing a White Paper entitled, "The Constitutional Issues of Privacy in Financial and Medical Records." She received a number of commendations from President Ford, President Carter and President Reagan.
Susan was married to an American diplomat and served in Africa for almost six years. First, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then in Guinea, and then in Morocco. During that time she wrote for Fortune Magazine and for approximately thirty other publications with interests in Africa. She received the highest civilian commendation possible for bravery beyond the call of duty -- while serving in Guinea.
Susan came full circle in her career -- coming back to technology. She was one of the team members that designed the National Banking Surveillance System; she oversaw the updating of the computer system for the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and she left the government to design and patent the first totally computerized Futures Trading System--off of which most exchanges still operate today. Her patent went through many years of patent battles and resulted in approximately $50 million going to the families of 9/11, as E-Speed, who lost so many employees in 9/11, owned her patent at that time.
Susan subsequently also had a tech company with her older son. She has participated in many activities within her community in New Smyrna Beach. She joined AAUW in 2017, and has served as President of the Branch for the past three years.
Please read these articles before the meeting to enable a more productive conversation:
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The latest Diversity, Equity and Inclusion video, Intersectionality of Dance is available on Vimeo and it is fascinating and enlightening! Alexandria Davis, teaching artist, choreographer and Screendance maker, shares becoming and teaching being one's authentic self in dance. She is a native of Gainesville, Florida. https://vimeo.com/793944502
