| This book is dedicated especially to the memories of two women: Sylvia Helen Forman, whose insights, tough love, and rigorous standards of excellence enabled me to negotiate the tricky terrain of anthropology, and Bernice Yorke, whose Belizean hospitality and wisdom were unmatched; to my Belizean sisters (Zee Edgell, Santiago Espat, Barbara Fernandez, Eva Middleton, Therese Paulino, Wilma Wright, Ida Westby, Rita Wagner, Denyse Barrows, and many others whose paths I crossed), without whose friendship, support, and cultural guidance the research for this work could not have been completed; to the Belizean women's groups and nongovernmental organizations who unsparingly contributed their time and experiences; to my children, Zena Carlota Pearl Allen and Antonio Maceo McClaurin Allen, who I hope will accept this book as an equal exchange for the sacrifices they had to make of my time and attention, though never my love; and finally to "Evelyn," "Rose," "Zola," and the other women and men who wished to remain nameless, without whose life experiences this book would not have been possible. |
| Although the act of putting pen to paper may be a solitary venture, the process of completing a book is collective. Thus while I take full responsibility for the ideas contained in these pages, I owe its completion to more people than I can ever thank. Along the way I was supported in my efforts by various individuals who gave me suggestions, encouragement, love and whose general good spirits sustained me through a communal reservoir of strength and determination as I struggled to finish the last page, the last word. I am forever indebted to my mother, Bennie Pearl Brown, and her husband, Navy Brown, for all the comforts of home they provided me whenever I needed nurturing; to my sister, Reece Ren Bell, and her family, who resurrected the meaning of extended family; to Cecila Gross, who fed me with food and friendship; to Tom McBee and Carlie and Gary Tartakov who gave me sanctuary amid the isolation of Iowa; to Lou, whose friendship and love were a gift in the early |
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1996