Who was Susan Rice?

By Curtis Armstrong, BSI
It is common for young people to feel unmoored and disconnected in the world as they approach the age of awareness. If they are lucky, they have a parent, grandparent or older sibling to introduce them to the fundamentals of life and the social interactions that make life worth living. But the truly fortunate are those who find a mentor who goes the extra mile. One who doesn’t just advise and instruct, but one who recognizes the unrealized essence within a burgeoning character. 

These mentors are rare—blue carbuncle rare—but Susan Rice was one of them.

For several years, in the late sixties and early seventies, Susan taught at the Kingswood School, just outside of Detroit, Michigan. She didn’t just do her job, as good as she was at it. A teacher to many, she was that special sort of mentor to the most fortunate. Among this happy few was a small but passionate group of high-school aged children who became known as The Trifling Monographs, a scion society devoted to the study of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Some of Susan’s acolytes were actually Kingswood students, but others were local waifs and strays who were just lucky enough to have found themselves drawn into her irresistible orbit. Some would say she was an educator who spent part of her weekend teaching Sherlock Holmes to nerds. The nerds who made up the Trifling Monographs would say she changed lives. Susan was always the very best sort of gatekeeper: one who was free with the keys. She knew what was behind every door and was eager to unlock it and throw it open: Brilliant books, soul-stirring music, dazzling film and theatre, thrilling voyages, bracing martinis, and a robust, unapologetic life to be lived. 

We were the first generation to benefit from her wisdom. She had an uncanny ability to look into our ramshackle mental bookshelves, see the gaps and fill them. We were the first but would not be the last.

Now we gather in print, online and at dinners and weekends around the world, friends and students of a mentor who continues to give.  Her lifelong calling went beyond the whimsical study of doctors and detectives. Long after her classroom days ended, people of all ages continued to benefit from Susan’s generosity and enthusiasm.

Those who may have dreamed for decades of joining that seemingly inaccessible fellowship of like-minded souls but had no access to it found in Susan Rice, someone who was always welcoming, always happy to bring to the table people who had something to offer.  She never lost sight of how important new blood and fresh ideas were to the survival of an old established firm. She not only knew how to open doors, she could break them down, if she needed to and then leave them open for whoever came after her. She’d been doing both forever.

Everyone who met her had stories about Susan: Of letters received, lunches or dinners shared. Of the collegial encouragement of intellectual curiosity and progressive thought, the joy of community and spirited conversation, the lifting up of the uncertain and awkward and the inclusion of all in everything we do. Those parts of Susan’s calling continue. It’s now the job of those of us who are richer for having known her to continue the work that she loved so much.

That is what this award is intended to celebrate: The spirit of mentoring and the joy of shared experience, in Susan Rice’s name.             

What is the Susan Rice Mentorship Award?

The award is to recognize the activities of a member of the Sherlock Holmes community who has been a mentor to others, in the spirit of Susan Rice. The award will be judged on the mentor’s commitment to bringing aspiring Sherlockians into the cause and encouraging them to find ways to keep green the memory of Sherlock Holmes. While those activities could be in the traditional realm of trifling monographs and playing The Game, we would also recognize that the effort could take place in other media and activities.

To sum up who we are looking for in a few words: Someone who is generous, welcoming, and offers encouragement.

Who is eligible for the award?

The Susan Rice Mentorship Award is open to all living Sherlockians who are generous, welcoming, and offer encouragement. They will also need to have a proven record that supports that definition. No current judges or previous winners may be considered for the award. The award is not limited to members of the Baker Street Irregulars.

How is Someone nominated?

The award will be given based on nominations. The nominator should complete an essay of 750 words or fewer that answers this question: “Who do you believe should be recognized for their work in mentoring aspiring Sherlockians and why? Please provide specific examples of their guidance, encouragement, and welcoming spirit.”

Qualities to consider when nominating: Welcoming to all Sherlockians; looking out for new Sherlockians to join the ranks; encouraging involvement and guiding people through their participation; connecting new Sherlockians to current members of the BSI; believing in someone even if they don’t believe in themselves; leaving the organization better than when they joined it.

Should someone be nominated in one year and not win, they would need to be re-nominated for consideration in succeeding years.

Please submit nominations between Sept. 1 to Nov. 10. A decision will be rendered by a majority vote of the five judges. The winner will be announced during the Baker Street Irregulars weekend in New York City.

Where Should Nominations Be Sent?

Nominations should be sent to SusanRiceMentorAward@gmail.com. An acknowledgement email will be sent in reply.

Who Are the judges?

The current judges are Curtis Armstrong, Jenn Eaker, Francine Kitts, Ashley Polasek and Steven Rothman. Again, judges are not eligible for the award.

Who are the previous winners?

The 2022 Susan Rice Award Winner was Peter Blau.

The 2023 Susan Rice Mentorship Award winner was Evelyn Herzog.

The 2024 Susan Rice Mentorship Award was Francine Kitts.