Susan Easton Black was reared in Long Beach, California. Susan was the first woman to teach religion at BYU and the first woman to receive the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award for her research and writing, the highest award given a professor at BYU. She was the recipient of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award in writing from the Latter-day Saint Publishing & Media Association. Susan has served two missions for the Historic Sites Department, a mission as a psychologist for LDS Social Services, a mission to the Nauvoo Illinois Temple, and a mission in the St. George Temple Visitors’ Center. Susan is the mother of three sons. She enjoys writing, speaking, and being with George.