So many women bravely shared their questions, truths, and hearts with me in homes, classrooms, and audiences throughout the world. (And bathrooms!)

Your journey was my classroom.

***

This book was a collaborative effort born from an army of fierce, loving, collaborative, independent, creative, pragmatic, disruptive, disciplined, knowledgeable, talented, and supportive space claimers.

With deepest gratitude, I thank you.

You each made a difference.

My parents—Thys VanCort and Beth Prentice, your generous, thoughtful, and loving support made this possible.

My kids—my daughter and sons, Ella, Jonah, and Lucian Mead-VanCort, and my nephew Eric Cuadrado. I love you beyond words. This is for you, extraordinary ones, and for your engaged friends I so admire. Your generation is already changing the world.

Anna Leinberger—wise, patient, edifying, fierce editor! You saw the potential, then used your magical, transformative powers! This is our book. Thank you, rock star, space-claiming soul sister!

Berrett-Koehler—I am beyond grateful. Thanks for taking a chance on me.

Lynn Buckley—your cover design/illustrations are game changing. Your collaborative artistry and friendship are gifts.

Barbara Ann Jordan—she shot the cover photo—badassery!

My talented seventeen-year-old son took my bio picture. Lucian, you make me proud.

Edward Wade—My incredibly talented design and production guru, with the patience of Job!

Alma Derricks—honored to know you, my sister. Thanks for brilliantly claiming space with me like a damn boss.

These folks amplify voices with conviction, integrity, caring, and class.

Mark Fortier, Jessica Pellien, Mariah Dwyer (Fortier), and Ken Sterling (Big Speak), thank you.

Amanda Colbert, Ashley Dos Santos, and Chris Zilles (social media/communication media gurus!)

This ferocious CFB Sisterhood shared wonderful editorial feedback.

Prof. Sarah Jefferis (original CFB editor!)

Maureen Forys (creative designer) and Susan Berge (collaborative/brilliant copy editor!)

Kiana Chow (footnote madness!)

Marissa Accordino, Liz Bassano, Kate Buckley, Ria Burns-Wilder, Tracy Habecker, Judge Maura Kennedy-Smith, Melissa Levy, Prof. Cynthia Henderson, Rachel Hocket, Misty Monroe, Kieren Munson-Burke, Melissa Sawyer, Suzan Senovich, Katie Spallone, Leah Summers, Jamie Swinnerton, Dr. Saskya Van Nouhuys, and Kira Sholeen Wagner (coined “book doula”)

You fun, artistic, fearless humans, let’s keep creating together.

Sister/partner Katie Spallone, nieces Kieren and Mirana Munson-Burke, superheroes Mike Donato and Paige Anderson, collaborators Alek Osinski, Steve Olenski, Lynn Buckley, Tyree Cobbins, Darryle Johnson, and David Kossack, earth shakers/change makers Rep. Leslyn Mc Bean-Clairborne, Prachi Ruina, and my inspiring daughter, Annabella Mead-VanCort

You help all genders intersectionally claim space. Thank you for lending your knowledge and wisdom to the book.

Dr. Kiranjit Bali, Dr. Dolly Chugh, Dr. Nia Nunn, Dr. Leo Taylor, and Kim Munson-Burke, MSW

My first guides, connectors, and advocates. Forever thankful.

Allison McLean, Megan Ahern, and Will Weisser

When you mentor, the benefits are endless. These women are my teachers.

Rebecca Joseph, Genesis A. Herebia, Eunice LaLanne, Chandler Palmer, Jodi Robertson, and Jeannie Yamazaki (Dean Shorna Allred, thanks for the Cook House Fellowship and Emeka Ojukwu . . . our group!)

Accomplished space-claiming endorsers:

Octavia Abell, Prof. Andrew Chignell, Dr. Dolly Chugh, Assoc. Dean Dionetta Jones Crayton, Joe Desena, Prof. Christine Guest, Assoc. Dean Sara Xayarath Hernández, Misty Monroe, Kyleigh Russ, Suzan Senovich

When I want to quit, I look to them for inspirational guidance. Then, I dust myself off and claim space. Thank you, teachers.

Dr. Maya Angelou, Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor, Oprah Winfrey, VP Kamala Harris, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Gloria Steinem, Eartha Kitt, Emma Watson, Prof. bell hooks, Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Duchess Meghan Markle, Dr. Anita Hill, Audre Lorde, Dr. Angela Davis, Madeleine L’Engle, Geena Davis, Angelina Jolie, Lizzo, Bonnie Raitt, Whoopi Goldberg, Prof. Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, Dr. Robin DiAngelo, Rep. Barbara Jordan, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Stevie Wonder, and . . . Wonder Woman!

It takes a village, and the world needs more inspiring CFB villages like this one. Thank you.

Nancy Beck and family, Arthur Bicknell, Mike Buchanan, Liz Cohen, Sam Cohen, Jennifer Stage Christenson, Dr. Norma Cooney, Prof. Cathy Lee Crane, Jesse Crawford, William Cunningham, Jamie Donnelly, Clayton Duban, Sarah Evanega, Ben Furnace, Mike and Emma Ellis, Ross Haarstad, Jason, Chris and Hayden, Mona Gracen, Alice Green, Phil Gushee, Prof. Christine Guest, Raquel Gonzalez, Max Della Pia, Rep. Anna Kelles, David Kossack, Jessica Hanna, Polly Holmberg, Darryle Johnson, Dr. Jeff Lewis, Julie MacMillin, Ellen McCollister, Josh Mack, Dr. John-Paul Mead (friend/father to my kids!), Josh Neuman, Professors Robert & Anne Marie Pois, Dr. Chandra Muller, George Sapio, Amanda Setton, Dep. Provost John Siliciano, Frank Storace, Maura Stephens, Steve Messa, Daniel Masciari (forever collaborator), Okoro Munn, Dr. James Smith, Mayor Svante Myrick, Amy Kay Raymond, Dr. Anne Sisson Runyan, Christopher Teitelbaum, Jeremy Webb, Roberta Wallitt, Dean Warnick, Jeff Williams, Peter Wolfram, Chris Zilles, the Munson-Burkes, Van-Corts, Prentices, extended DeMao family, “The Gang,” Alliance for Science Fellows (changing the world!), ’89, and my supportive FB, arts, Ithaca and Cornell University communities

Steve—you have such a big, mighty, and beautiful heart. Oh, how it touched mine. Thank you for . . . all of it.

Alek Osinski—my brother, your support, belief in me, and editing genius prove that every gender can be a badass intersectional CFB. You wear it well.

Mary Louise Marini VanCort—Mom, you told me I could do anything. You told me to “be great” every time we said goodbye. You might as well have been saying, “Go claim some space, my daughter. I know you can.” You may still be missing, but you live in my heart. Wherever you are, know that I listened. I hope you’re proud of me.