Denise Chanterelle DuBois - Self-Made Woman

First and foremost, my most appreciative thanks to my editor, Corey Sabourin. It was he who took my raw story and began to polish it like a stone until it became the beautiful gem it is today. He made this book really happen. Next is my publicist, Mary Bisbee-Beek. Her dedication to my public relations needs, strict attention to detail, and willingness to always be there for me as questions arose in the publication and marketing of my story allowed me to find a comfort level in the process that I would never have found otherwise. Mary made the book go! Early on in my writing, Carey Bettencourt was there to read passages and always encouraged me to keep writing. She taught me not to doubt myself and gave me strength. My close friend Becca Gillis, PsyD, was there for me countless times when doubts crept into my mind. On those occasions when I almost did throw in the towel, she, single-handedly, pulled me back from the precipice. Becca gave me hope. Authors Doc Macomber and Bob Wright consulted with me many times during my writing, always offering cheerful advice to keep me on a steady course and not wander off topic. Doc and Bob offered direction. John Brekke, PhD, read my finished section on Kauai, where we had become accidental friends, and afterward gave me one of the biggest hugs of my life. He emphatically stated that my book would change the way people think about what it means to be transgender in America. He has been with me ever since,always there for book talk. John gave me faith. Then there was my ninety-year-old Uncle Frank Behnke, who I spoke with almost daily about the book as things heated up and publication was becoming a reality. I depended on him as a counselor and treasured his perspective and lifetime of experience. Thank you to my close friend, civil rights attorney Lake James Perriguey. From the very beginning, he patiently read my freshly penned passages and took my weekly calls offering in return his intellect, kindness, and his warm heart. Never was there a finer person, nor a more loyal friend. Lake gave me everything.

And finally, I want to acknowledge the University of Wisconsin Press and senior executive acquisitions editor Raphael Kadushin for agreeing to publish my book. When I met with Raphael in Madison, I immediately sensed a connection. At lunch while we talked about the book, Raphael mentioned that the press had never really ever published a book like this before and that they were sort of going out on a ledge with this memoir. We were looking directly at each other when he said that, and then I knewbecause, lets face it, this book really does show the human vulnerability of all of us and really does put everyone on that ledge. It was not easy for me to write this book, and Raphael knows that. I really appreciated his candor that day and knew we had built trust between us.

And so it was in the very end that Wisconsin, my home state, my motherland, and the place where it all began, finally gave me the wisdom of truth. For that I will always be grateful.