Womenomics would never have been possible without all of the women across America who shared their stories, trials, and triumphs with us. You were the fuel for the book, and we thank you all. We’d be on the phone for a quick interview, and find ourselves still talking hours later, as we uncovered common experiences and traded advice with strangers turned friends. The passion and instant bonding this subject can inspire came as a surprise even to us, and also made clear just how powerful the need is for a book like this.

So, Laura Bates, Linda Brooks (name changed to protect identity), Chandra Dhandapani, Miriam Decker (name changed to protect identity), Jennifer Dickey, Robin Ehlers, Stephanie Hampton, Christine Heenan, Anne Hurst, Melissa James, Jennifer Keisling, Angelique Krembs, Christy Runningen, Sarah Slusser, Maria Souder, Lauren Tyler, Julie Wellner, Barbara Williams, and Jennifer Winell—thank you. Your voices speak for women everywhere.

The project was not all estrogen driven, however. Our agent, Rafe Sagalyn, was invaluable to the birth and continued nurturing of Womenomics. As much as any of our women, he instantly “got” our concept, and became a passionate advocate. Rafe, you’ve been an indispensable guide through the publishing-world maze, a brilliant brainstorming partner, and a friend with a generous sense of humor.

Rafe also introduced us to our editor at HarperCollins, Hollis Heimbouch. From the moment we first sat down with her, we knew Hollis was the woman for Womenomics. She’s everything we’d been warned editors are not anymore: hands-on, readily available, and full of savvy editorial guidance. Thank you for your vision.

The entire team at HarperCollins was simply brilliant and so supportive. Ben Steinberg, Matt Inman, Angie Lee, Paul Olsewski, Leslie Cohen, Shawn Nicholls, Doug Jones, Richard Ljoenes, Steve Ross, and Margot Schupf—how lucky we are that you took on Womenomics not as a job, but as a cause.

Naturally, we’d hardly be practicing Womenomics if we didn’t delegate some of the work on this book. Many, many thanks to Lizette Baghdadi, Ashley Rindsburg, Erin Delmore, Jessica Nell Hayes, Chloe Abshire, and Jocelyn Phillips whose diligent and resourceful help with research and editing and transcribing literally got us to deadline.

We’d also like to thank Valerie Jarrett, Geraldine Laybourne, and Meg Whitman, who graciously gave us their time and take on the view from the top as well as the middle. And of course Michelle Obama, who has been such an open advocate for change, and who now, we hope, will be able to give this issue the attention it deserves.

And major thanks to both the BBC and ABC, who’ve offered us incredible opportunities and the chance for some balance in our lives. Not to mention the flexibility and latitude we needed to put Womenomics on paper.

Katty: I would like to thank my mother, Shirley Kay, who repeatedly defied cultural norms and establishment protocol to carve out a career as a journalist in the Arab world, one of the toughest places for women to work, while doggedly making time to raise four children. And my sister, Gigi Kay, who mixes ferocious professional drive with an innate determination to measure her career by her own standards, no one else’s.

I am very proud of them both and immensely lucky to have their paths to follow in. My family in Washington was patient and understanding during a long, busy year. They put up with the travel of an election campaign followed by the deadlines for this book. And it would not have been possible without Awa M’Bow who looked after them all in my absence. Thank you, all of you.

Claire: Even as she raises her own child, and makes award-winning films, my sister, Susannah, is often forced to play the role of parent in our two-sibling family. And she did so brilliantly last year, cheering me on through an exhilarating and difficult twelve months. And Maureen—your loving Caribbean calm helped us all stay sane this year. Heartfelt thanks to both of you.