She selected George Washington University and in a few years, as a testiment to her research, she was promoted to full professor. She remained there for the rest of her career, teaching and doing research until she was forced by the law at the time to retire at age 70. My mother loved every aspect of academic life. I asked her more than once if she ever got bored teaching the same subjects over and over. Oh no, she would say.
Every class is different.
And my mother relished her life as a researcher. Every graduate student was a pleasure, every conference an honor and a joy. She has delighted in her life, and seized opportunities as they arose, even if it meant getting a Ph.D. at an age when most academics are already full professors. I doubt it.