Adieu, and thanks.

No one does it alone. Scores of friends, colleagues, mentors, heroes and adversaries are met along the road of a dedicated life. As I take the next step in that journey, thanks and acknowledgements are due to people who have personally made a difference to me, with the caveat that for everyone acknowledged by name a half dozen are remembered in my heart.

The Early Colleagues: Byllye Avery, Janet Benshoof, Rhonda Copelon, Joan Dunlop, Nanette Falkenberg, Doug Gould, Uta Landy, Judy Levin, Cory Richards, Helen Rodriquez-Trias, Jeannie Rosoff, Frankie Stein, Frank Sussman, Faye Wattleton, Judy Widdicombe. What exciting and uncompromising days those were, and how generous we all were with each other. May that value prevail in the years ahead. Thank you.

The Doctors: Curtis Boyd, Ward Cates, Karl Fossum, David Grimes, Moshe Hachamovitch, Warren Hern, Lewis Koplik, Hans Lehfeldt, Bill Rashbaum. Mavericks all, whether irascible or sweet, and unrelentingly committed to women. We need many more of you. Thank you.

The Big Thinkers: Marge Berer, Roberto Blancarte, Daniel Callahan, Marilyn French, Ann Furedi, Lucy Garrido, Linda Gordon, David J. Garrow, Ellen Goodman, Cynthia Gorney, Beverly Harrison, Carol Joffe, Pat King, Marta Lamas, Kristin Luker, Robin Morgan, Anthony Padovano, Rosalind Petchesky, Anna Quindlen, Barbara Katz Rothman, Gloria Steinem, Christopher Tietze. You have all contributed to my intellectual development. Thank you.

The Pioneers: Fred Jaffe, Judy Norsigian, Margie Pitts Hames, Norma Swenson, Meredith Tax, Sarah Weddington. Your names are indelibly etched in history. Thank you.

All the Staff at CFFC but especially the old timers: Mary Jean Collins, Maggie Hume, Jon O'Brien, Denise Shannon. The road was often bumpy, but I hope in the end the ride was exhilarating. Thanks.

The "Permanent," Never Rotating CFFC Board that gave me all the room to grow, to take risks and to achieve: Albert George, Barbara, Cheryl, Eileen, Kate, Marian, Marysa, Ofelia, Pat, Peter, Rosemary, Sheila, Susan, Susan. Every CEO should be so lucky!

The First of the "Catolicas": Cristina Grela, Silvia Marcos, Safina Newbery, Jorge Villarreal. We have danced and cried together. Gracias.

The Vatican 24 who stood up to the Vatican in favor of choice: first and foremost Barbara Ferraro and Patricia Hussey, the Loretto contingent, my dear friend Maureen Fiedler and Donna Quinn, the feistiest and funniest of the lot. Thank you.

The Emerging Leaders: Maria Antonieta Alcalde, Aspen Baker, Giselle Carino, Donna Crane, Silvia Henriquez, Crystal Plati, Moises Russo, Aisha Taylor. Thank you.

True Prolifers: Barbara Andolson, Robert Best, Lisa Sowle Cahill, Joan Chittister, Carol Keehan, James Kelly, Richard McBrien, Frederick Richters. Each of you took the time to understand my point of view, to appreciate aspects of it and to share yours with me. These are always the most precious of friends. And to Laura Chasin who taught me how to talk to "others"--and how to hear them. Special thanks.

True-Blues--the colleagues who are friends for life, who will never desert you, always forgive you and interpret your flaws with charity: Carmen Barroso, Kathy Bonk, Amy Coen, Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Ana Luisa Liguori, Maria Consuelo Mejia, Kate Michelman, Marysa Navarro, Cory Richards, Allan Rosenfield, Sara Seims, Jill Sheffield, Steve Sinding, Rev. Carlton Veazey, Peter Wilderotter. All my love and deepest gratitude.

To everyone else: Goodbye and Good Luck!