Grace Under Pressure: The Unshakable Journey of Dr. Susan Joseph | the inspiring story of a woman who refused to give up, no matter the odds.
By NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
People in the world often seek comfort, recognition, and self-fulfillment. There are but many souls who quietly redefine what it means to live for others. I had the privilege of meeting such a woman; a woman of humility, humanity, simplicity, dignity, integrity, and unconditional love. Her life story is worth telling; nay, it’s worth celebrating.
Raised in this blend of discipline and dignity, Susan was gifted in studies, raised in the Christian faith, and active in her church choir. But there was something different about her spirituality; an inexplicable pull toward deeper prayer, especially the Catholic tradition of the Way of the Cross. As a child, she would listen with reverence to these prayers from across the compound wall, yearning to be part of them.
Dr. Susan Joseph was born the youngest of seven children; three elder brothers and three elder sisters, in a respectable, well-established family. Her father, Dr. K.M. Mathew, came from a liberal background, while her mother, Sosamma Mathew, represented a more orthodox tradition. A brilliant woman in her own right, Sosamma had been a classmate of India’s first woman judge, Anna Chandy, and came from a family known for its judicial legacy. Her brother, C.S. Thomas, retired as a judge too.
Her childhood act of giving away her lunch to hungry children who fought dogs for scraps may sound small, but it reveals the spirit that would guide her whole life. Even as a teenager, she was already living a life of sacrifice; quietly, consistently, and without ever seeking applause.
She never wished for marriage. Her heart longed to build an orphanage, to create a self-sustaining sanctuary for the forgotten, and to live a life devoted to those on the margins. But destiny, dressed in the quiet pressures of family expectations, gently altered her course.
A proposal arrived from a Catholic family. It wasn’t the heritage or tradition that moved her; it was him. Something about his quiet strength, the grace in his humility, and the warmth of the village that shaped him stirred her spirit. In that still moment of clarity, she made her choice: “If I am to marry,” she thought, “let it be this man; not for comfort or praise, but because I wish to live where I am needed most.”
And so began a marriage not of convenience, but of conviction.
Her career blossomed in Goa, where she moved in 1984. She joined a Commerce College as a part-time lecturer in Economics, became a full-time teacher in two years, and eventually spent over three decades shaping the lives of her students. Her credentials include a Ph.D., B.Ed., authorship of textbooks, and training teachers as a Master Trainer.
She led workshops, conducted counselling sessions, and inspired thousands across the country. But her true impact lies not in her titles; it lies in her touch. She gave more than she received, every single day. She conducted sessions on adolescent issues, guided confused youth, counseled broken families, and brought healing into classrooms.
She believed in learning from everyone; animals, trees, even ants. She saw lessons in nature that most of us overlook.
After taking VRS in 2015, when most look to rest, she took up her most challenging mission yet; teaching in a tribal region in Kalahandi, Odisha. There, amidst poverty and backwardness, she taught children English, Social Studies, and Mathematics. She didn’t just teach them to read and write; she taught them to speak, present, and believe in themselves.
Seeing her students confidently compere an event was, in her own words, one of the proudest moments of her life. Her efforts in service earned her many awards; national and international. As a Global Leader of the World Malayalee Council, she has represented India across the globe, from the United States and Switzerland to Israel and Jordan. But for her, the real reward was always the smile of a child, the gratitude of a parent, or the quiet strength of a prisoner during a rehabilitation camp.
Yes, she even worked with prisoners. As an NSS Officer, she once led her team to Penugonda Jail in Andhra Pradesh. Initially met with hostility, she and her students melted the prisoners’ hearts through performances, poetry, and compassion. They left behind not just songs but hope; and were named national champions for it.
On the family front, her faith was again tested. After the birth of her first child, she couldn’t conceive for eight years. A tumor during her next pregnancy led doctors to recommend abortion. Even her husband begged her to consider it. But her unwavering belief that “God will take care of it” prevailed. That child is now a successful dental surgeon. A miracle wrapped in courage and faith, she became her living testimony.
Her personal prayer life is another story in itself. She remembers, as a child, overhearing her mother cry during dawn prayers; mentioning every family member by name. That tearful prayer session, she says, is where she first learned the power of intercession.
Later in life, around age 15, she experienced something mystical; a glowing figure appeared near her bed and said, “I need you, my child.” That moment confirmed her lifelong mission. And she never wavered.
Dr. Susan Joseph is a woman of many roles; teacher, counselor, mentor, wife, mother, author, speaker, trainer, and friend. She’s known to be a good host, a wonderful cook, and an ever-enthusiastic motivator. But most of all, she’s known for her unwavering faith and limitless compassion. As they say, the word “impossible” does not exist in Susan’s dictionary or life. Just read the word again: “I’m possible.” And truly, her life is a testimony to that.
About the Author
NV Paulose is the Chairman of Global TV and a writer who chronicles inspiring real-life journeys. He believes that every untold story has the power to uplift humanity.
