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When I taught at Armstrong Atlantic State University, Michael Price, who was then the chair of the history department, generously supported my academic pursuits. He spent many hours helping me with my articles, the first draft of my book manuscript, and grant application proposals before I sent them out. Such kindness and generosity is increasingly rare in the academic world, where so many faculty members are so busy with their own research. Dr. Price inspires me to be a better scholar, a professor, and a helpful person.
At my current institution, my colleague Ann Allen is a role model for me. Despite her status as a distinguished feminist scholar and a recipient of many national and campuswide awards, Ann is a friendly person who is willing to give a helping hand to a junior faculty like me. She has been very helpful in advising me on how to respond to peer-review criticism and has helped me to see the potential of my project. She has offered some constructive ideas on the introduction of the book.
The history department at the University of Minnesota awarded me a dissertation research grant in 2001–2002 and a Hedley Donovan history fellowship in Spring 2003. Armstrong Atlantic State University awarded me a junior faculty research grant in 2005. A summer institute stipend from the National Endowment for Humanities enabled me to do my own research while developing my teaching credentials at the University of Hawaii in 2005. The University of Louisville awarded me an intramural research grant on women and gender studies in 2006–2007. That enabled me to conduct research at Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley. To these institutions, I extend my heartfelt thanks.
I need to thank my friends Joel Lintner and Peter Kauffner, who are both knowledgeable in Chinese history. Joel proofread my dissertation in 2003, and this summer, he generously spent many hours proofreading the book manuscript. He knows the entire book well now. Peter proofread the manuscript this summer and offered valuable advice.