Nell Merlino - Stepping Out of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want It Their Way . . . In Life, In Love, and At Work

Kath Delaney suggested that I write a book. We were standing in her kitchen, deep in Muir Woods outside of San Francisco, and I was in the early days of building Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence. I quickly dismissed the idea of a book, saying I didn't have time. (How often do we miss opportunities because we think we are too busy?) Kath and I had already been through so much togetherthree presidential campaigns, a huge Earth Day concert in Central Park, and my first silent meditation retreat. We had been to each other's weddings and knew each other's families. Despite my protests, she gave me the name of her friend, Linda Loewenthal, who was a literary agent in New York.

It took me months, but eventually I had coffee with Linda and she became my agent. I am so grateful to my dear friend Kath for seeing the book in me and for introducing me to Linda, who has been my guide through the book world.

Linda led me to Kris Puopolo, who has been my intelligent and supportive editor at Broadway Books. Thank you, Kris, for your excellent work, and to everyone at Broadway who has supported the book throughout this process.

I will never forget meeting Lindsey Pollak. She came right up to me as I entered an intimidating Working Woman conference at the height of the dot.com boom. She made me feel so welcome, helped me navigate the room, and followed up with me often. When it came time to find the writer to help me with my book, Lindsey was the first person I thought of and, after much trial and error, the only person I knew could complete my book with me. Lindsey, thank you for being so curious, brilliant, courageous, and committed to Stepping Out of Line.

Believe in you is a mantra at Count Me In. When you believe in you, your ambition, your accomplishments and your capabilities, others will too. Stepping Out of Line is something you do yourself, but none of us can accomplish very much all by ourselves. There are so many people who believe in me and to whom I am most grateful.

I am deeply grateful to:

My mother, Molly, and father, Joe, for living a life full of love, service, art, politics, and family. For loving me, teaching me, and encouraging me to Step Out of Line.

Carol Munter, for listening, challenging, and loving me no matter what.

Norman Levy and Tom Blatner, for knowing I would flourish as an entrepreneur.

Doug Gould, Tim Sweeney, Geoffrey Knox, and David Eng, for allowing me to play a very small part in the fight against HIV and AIDS with the Gay Men's Health Crisis.

Kristen Golden, Miriam Zoll, Elliot Thomson, Therese Stanton, Marie Wilson, Idelisse Malave, Gloria Steinem, Janet Andre Block, Sarah Gould, Marlo Thomas, Jessye Norman, Helen Hunt, Jane Tollinger, Carol Jenkins, Betty Yee, Meredith Wagner and Ortho-Pharmaceutical (for giving us the seed money), and everyone else associated with the Ms. Foundation for Women and the successful launch of Take Our Daughters to Work Day, for your support and dedication.

The millions of girls, mothers, fathers, teachers, employers, reporters, producers, and editors who supported Take Our Daughters to Work Day, for helping to make girls more visible, valued, and heard.

Sharon Cohen, for asking Marie Wilson who it was that thought up Take Our Daughters to Work Day.

Stephanie Hanbury-Brown, for seeing the potential in Count Me In, for your strong board leadership and for your insistence that we get buttoned up and organized. Vickee Adams, Lorene Arey Maureen Borzacchiello, Ned Cloonan, Shamaya Gilo, Deborah Kaye, Garnett Newcombe, Shelly Porges, Deborah Shah, Jed Scala, Peggy Wallace, and Vanessa Wilson, for serving on the Count Me In Board. Your time, wisdom, and guidance are essential.

Karen Scates, Beth Salerno, Terry Savage, Steve Alessio, Rich Tambor, and Richard D'Ambrosio of American Express, for helping me breathe life into the idea with your powerful belief in women entrepreneurs.

Susan Sobbott, Marcy Shinder, Michelle Dolberry Lexi Reese, Channing Barringer, and Anne Robinson, and the entire American Express OPEN team, for your insightful leadership, strategic investment and involvement in Make Mine a Million $ Business.

Ned Cloonan, Ed Lee, and James Chin for elevating our cause and clout, for your strategic investment, involvement, and global perspective.

Jean Hamerman, Claire Merlino, Amy Litt, Suzanne Michaud, JoAnn Gwynn, Helen Parker, Cori Viles, Simone Pero, Heather Kipnis, Isisara Bey Tim Aston, and Stacey Straughter for working hard and smart to build Count Me In and our Make Mine a Million $ Business movement.

Hilary Blair, Margery Miller, Bill Dueease, Nely Galan, Valerie Morris, Simon Sinek, and Rosalyn Taylor O'Neil for bringing your best thinking, heart, and souls to our movement.

All of the Make Mine a Million $ Business awardees and finalists, for being the vanguard tidal wave of women entrepreneurs who will lead the country, community by community, to innovation, millions of new jobs and a stronger 21st century economy. Knockers Up!

Hillary Clinton, for your unwavering support of women and Count Me In. Any time I think about easing up on my mission, I think of you and just keep going.

Suze Orman, for asking me how the book was coming along until it was finished, and for telling me when I was on the wrong track.

Beth Korein, my friend since 1980, for knowing me so well, reading every word in every draft of this book, asking thoughtful questions, making great suggestions, and always cheering me on.

Isisara Bey, my trusted colleague and longtime friend, for sharing and supporting my vision and for revealing yours in all its brilliance.

Lorene Arey for being first in your appreciation, for being a bold, brilliant, and beautiful friend with your wit and wisdom. Long Live Lorene.

Edie Fraser, my friend, for inspiring me with your books and for being so generous with who and what you know.

Joe Merlino, my brother, for being a brilliant strategic colleague on the YWCA Week Without Violence, The Reebok Human Rights Awards, Count Me In and so much more.

Claire Merlino, my unflappable, observant, and precise sister, for your calm support and leadership at SCA Ltd. and Count Me In.

Kate Merlino, my sister, for being there for our mother and taking such good care of her so I can spend time writing, working, and not worrying.

Jim Merlino, my brother, for always reminding me that the Merlino family business is politics and that politics is ultimately about families.

Diane Wiesenberger and her partner Carole, for sending me on a blind date with Gary Conger, who is now my husband.

Gary Conger, my husband, my partner, my dearest friend, for keeping me current with your careful reading, cooking most of the meals and staying in with me on weekends while I worked on my book (our study dates, with you painting and watching football while I wrote). Thank you for never wavering in your love and patience.

Thank you all for believing in me.

Thank you all for inspiring me to Step Out of Line and stay there.