Thank you to....
My mother, for forgiving me for being a completely impossible teenager who hated her, and thus allowing us to become best friends as adults.
My godmother, Valderez, for watching all of my plays and coming to all of my major events, even when she couldn't understand a word of it.
My Aunt Susie, for never questioning and always supporting my dreams, sharing my love for literature and art, and helping me to believe I am worth everything I dream of.
My Aunt Vera, for holding me when, at 13, my mom caught me kissing a boy 7 years older than me in front of a church, and telling me I hadn't committed a sin.
My much-more-than a cousin Gugs, for all the times I made her act out little plays with me for our parents, even though she didn't want to- and for making up countless imaginary worlds with me, over and over again.
My cousin Ju, who took me to watch plays and movies- gestures that made an unbelievable difference in my life.
My cousin Fer, for pulling me aside when I turned 15 to tell me the truth about drugs and sex.
My cousin Grazi, for making me watch "Free Willy" every time she babysat me and therefore helping me develop empathy for whales.
My paternal grandmother, Baba, for letting me do her make-up when I was a child, and then for never washing it off afterwards but rather wearing purple eyeshadow on her nose when she went to the grocery store and proudly saying, "My granddaughter did my make-up today."
My maternal grandmother, Alzira, who I never met, for raising my incredible mother.
Marina, for a 20-year-friendship, for reminding me of who I really am, and for letting me love her.
Melissa, for 16 years of letters.
Tati, for my childhood. I'm sad we've lost touch.
The BSG's (BackStreet Girls), you know who you are, my middle-school "click", for holding my hand through the hardest years of a girl's life.
Marina B., Diana, and Manu, for sitting with me in lunch for four years of high-school.
Gabi, for my first back-packing through Europe experience, an unforgettable trip.
Maria, for nights of chocolate milk and french fries with mayo at the pub in college, and for all the times you took care of me when I was sick.
Starsha, for your contagious smile.
The women at Brebner, for a year that taught me more than I was prepared to handle.
Divya, Preetha, and Andrea, for a summer through Turkey and Greece that I will never forget.
Olivia, A.J., Kate, And Kioko, for being wonderful housemates in Andrew's Court 10 and teaching me that women CAN live in harmony.
Laura, for Top Girls.
Fan, for being my mother in college.
Gina, for the times we did share. I'll forever regret losing your friendship.
Moe, for reminding me of my roots.
Ker and Ash- I have to put you two together, because the three of us are like a trio of beauty and talent, for so many conversations at starbucks' around new york that simply changed my life.
Deema, for your talent and drive.
Rena, for unforgettable memories in Extremities.
Thesa, for your grace and courage.
Susan M., my teacher and friend, for being a brilliant teacher, and for seeing me.
Susan A., for, quite simply, teaching me to act.
Regi, my Italian love, for bringing out the feminist in me and for teaching me to cook.
Sal, for never judging me.
Whitney, for trusting me.
Julia W., my internet friend, for being so open and friendly with someone you've never met.
Ellen Burstyn, for giving me the book "Forgiving your Parents".
And to some women I've never really met, but who have had a huge impact on my life,
Gloria Steinem, for writing "Revolution From Within", and for making it ok for 'beautiful' women to be feminists.
Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, and Cate Blanchett, for inspiring me over and over again.
Eve Ensler, for writing "The Vagina Monologues".
Ruth, my diary, whoever you are, for hearing my soul's cries all of my life.
And for every woman who has touched my life in any way, I am grateful.
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