the project both as comprehensible and as manageable as possible. The book
includes a chronology of important dates that highlights some people or
events not specifically discussed in the text; entries in the bibliography guide
the reader to further exploration. Like other books in the series, Women's
Rights features biographical profiles of women who made a significant contri-
bution to the fight for equal rights. Unlike the other books, these profiles
appear after each chapter instead of in a separate section at the end of the
book. This organization was used because the lives of the women profiled
illustrate so well the particular themes discussed in each chapter. Many of the
women profiled are less famous than others, though every bit as fascinating.
The individuals profiled were selected because they pushed the boundaries
that defined women's roles during the eras in which they lived. In some cases,
their contributions to American life and culture and to women's rights
constituted only a brief public moment in otherwise private lives. In other
cases, the women profiled lived very public lives. All of them paid a price for
their activities and, unfortunately, many of them never lived long enough to
see the consequences of their refusal to accept the status quo. It is hoped that
the material covered in the text and the biographical profiles will inspire
readers to explore further the richness that is women's history. A selective
bibliography for further reading and study is provided, as well as a glossary of
important terms and legislation.

As with any project of this nature, thanks are due to many people for their
assistance. I would like to thank the staffs of the New York Public Library and
the Pace University Library for their assistance; Anne Thompson and Karla
Olson, editors at Oryx Press, for their patience and help; and Elizabeth
Knappman for making this opportunity possible. On a personal note, I would
also like to thank those people who continue to be so supportive and
encouraging -- not to mention tolerant: Maureen Callahan, Catherine Clinton,
Steve Victore, Noah Callahan-Bever, Edward Bever, Chloe Callahan-Flintoft,
Sheila Callahan-Victore, Sheila and Kit Thompson, Maureen Tsuchiya, Pat
and Kevin Donahue, Jerome Dumain, Rosemary Lunardini, and Donna
Lunardini.

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