Susan O. Cranford - Executive Director

Susan was born the second out of five children into a typical military family. Her father passed away when she was 9 years of age. Her mother had only reached the 8th grade, was a homemaker and never worked. She was completely dependent upon her husband and his support. When he passed away, her mother was unprepared for what the future held for her and her children.

Susan and her siblings grew up in extreme poverty and an abusive situation inside and outside their home. They moved from home to home when any attempt was made to remove the children from the family. Many times, in the middle of the night, they were forced to move leaving many beloved things behind (including memories of her father).

Inspite of the hardships, Susan and her siblings managed to hold on to each other, getting through high school and leaving home as soon as they could.

Susan experienced her share of failed relationships throughout her life, and yes, some were very abusive. The cycle of abuse is extremely hard to break. It takes a lifetime to free oneself from it. Through all these hardships, Susan has become a successful business women. Her thoughts have always been..."Educate a family and you teach the world for generations to come". Once a parent is formally educated, the chances that children will follow in their footsteps, is greatly enhanced.

Susan lost two brothers within a short period of time (March 2007 - February 2008). She prides herself in watching over her nieces and nephews to make sure they become the productive, happy, healthy adults that her brothers would want them to be.

 This foundation is an avenue for Ms. Cranford to reach heads of households, families and abused children. No one should ever have to struggle the way she did or endure the hardships of her past. Susan understands that formal education is one of the keys to ending illiteracy and abuse.

 Susan spent many years in the United Air Force Reserve as a Combat Med, Surgical Tech, Flight Med and at one point was the NCOIC in-charge of immunization. Ms. Cranford was awarded an Accommodation Medal for bringing the 419th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB into combat ready compliance status, for her work in the Immunization Clinic. A rare award to receive during peace time. When she was only in her early 20's, Sgt. Cranford transitioned the squadron Immunization Clinic to hospital status re-writing standard operating procedures(SOP) to enable pilots and the rest of the wing, (approx 5,000) to be combat ready if our nation were to mobilize for war. Which ultimately happened a few years later as in Desert Storm.

 In her civilian life she pursued her nursing and education careers. Enrolled at Weber State College in Ogden, Utah and attending nursing related classes while in the military. She was never able to qualify for grants or scholarships due to academics or "making too much money". The basic need to survive while trying to educate herself was imperative at the time. She took student loans while the AFRES provided some funding. But, with military transfers, etc, it was difficult to obtain her degree.

 Susan was one to never give up. She became an EMT, worked in Dr. offices.

 She later found that in California, at the time, with the right recommendation  letters and experience, she challenged the nursing boards to qualify as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She had all the necessary education, classes and expertise, just not the formal "degree". She had completed 2 years of college while in the military. It took 6 months of recommendation letters from Doctors, Commanders, and hard studying to make her dream come true. She finally became a nurse and ultimately the nurse In-Charge on the floor at the clinic where she worked.

 But Susan, always reaching for more, went back to night school at age 37, this time obtaining her Bachelors Degree in Science in Business. 

 Currently, Ms. Cranford works with a national distribution firm out of Southern California while devoting her time to the non-profit organization she launched in 2007. She confronts issues that have affected her life through personal experiences, her military life and medical career.