This book would be just a jumble of words without the brilliance of my editor, Jill Ainsley. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, your patience, and your keen suggestions. I also owe endless thanks to the entire team at Goose Lane, who took a chance on me and this book: Susanne Alexander, Julie Scriver, Martin Ainsley, Kathleen Peacock, and Karen Pinchin, as well as to my copy editor, Melva McLean, and my proofreader, Jess Shulman. Without the hard work and faith of all of you, this book would not be what it is. Thank you, as well, to the wonderful team at BenBella Books, especially Glenn Yeffeth and Leah Wilson. Sarah Dombrowsky, thank you for a beautiful cover. You all deserve way more exclamation marks than is grammatically correct.
Thank you to my agent, Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists. Your boundless enthusiasm for this book and for my writing is like sunshine.
To my mentors at the University of King’s College, Tim Falconer, Jane Hamilton Silcott, and Kim Pittaway: you are invaluable. Thank you for everything you did to make the manuscript stronger, and for all the stuff that doesn’t show on the page: keeping my spirits up as I wrote the book, hit walls, and fully waded into the publishing world. Together, you cheered me on, kicked my butt when I needed it, asked tough questions, and encouraged me to think in new ways and consider new perspectives. You made me better.
A huge thanks to the team at This Magazine, and in particular my longtime work wife, Lisa Whittington-Hill. This will always feel like home, and the wonderful, hard-working team there is such a big part of that. Thank you for giving me the time and space to work on this book, and all the ideas connected to it. Thank you for helping me grow and for teaching me about all things pop culture. I’ll always treasure my time at This, and your support.
The biggest thank you goes out to my parents, family, friends, and all the amazing women in my life. Thank you to all the editors who’ve helped make my words sing. Thank you to everyone who I’ve surely forgotten. Thank you to Link, who cannot read but can warm my feet expertly.
Mom, thank you for your countless pep talks and for delivering all that homemade food so that I wouldn’t forget to eat during the intense writing periods. To my best sister, Kiddo, you always make me laugh and remind me what matters most.
Jen, thank you for always saying yes whenever I ask if you want to be my plus-one—no matter how weird it is—and for your unwavering support in all things life. Candice, you will always be the best part of King’s. Thank you for always challenging me and for being your brilliant, sparkly self. Dana: No matter how you toss the dice, you’ve always been there. Thank you. And to my oldest, dearest friend, Andrea, it’s been such a privilege to grow up with you—you’re amazing.
I owe a big thanks to all the women and girls who spoke to me for this book and let me into their lives. Whether we agreed or not, I appreciate you taking the time to explain your perspectives and to answer all my questions. Let this discussion continue with respect and compassion. And, finally, to the feminists now and throughout history: your tireless work has brought us to where we are today. My thanks could span the universe.