Thank you for your congratulations. My story is simple:
I learned to play bridge in 1956 as a first year student at Smith College. I continued to play rubber bridge socially while teaching at William Paterson University, retiring in 2000 as Emerita Professor of English and Women's Studies. I joined the ACBL in 2009. It took me only 11 years to become a Bronze Life Master, but at least I made it before my 82nd birthday! I have had enormous help from encouraging partners,who wondered what took me so long, and I am very grateful for their support. I also would like to thank the Powell family of the Essex Bridge Club in Livingston, NJ who gave me space to grow and guided me along.