ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 I would like to thank my committee members for all their support. I feel privileged to work

under a group of such prestigious scholars. I especially appreciate the hard work of my

committee chair, Dr. Maxine Margolis, who influenced me as a scholar and feminist. I owe much

to Dr. Anita Spring for her exceptional training in the area of Gender and Development; Dr.

Murdo Macleod for his emphasis on historical perspective; and Dr. Helen Safa for her

mentorship.

 Other scholars have also made important contributions to my career. Russell Bernard

improved my methodology and proposal writing. Allan Burns introduced me to the Maya

communities in South Florida that inspired my work among the Guatemalans. He gave me the

opportunity to teach my first college course, The Maya Diaspora, and supported my Fulbright

candidacy. At the University of Miami, Ann Brittain introduced me to anthropology, and Sarah

Keene Meltzoff inspired my love of fieldwork. Deidre Crumbley also encouraged my

anthropological work.

 I would like to thank my colleagues and friends from graduate school at the University of

Florida. Beth Byron supported me from the moment we met during the first days of graduate

school. I would also like to thank the other "migration experts" who shared the experience (and

rigor) of working under Dr. Margolis: Ermitte St. Jacques and her husband, Flemming Daugaard,

and Rosana Resende. Sybil Rosado has also been a great friend and colleague, as well as Jim

Barham, Roberto Barrios, Lance Gravlee, Antonio Tobar, and Antonio de la Pefia.

 Michelle Moran-Taylor, whom I met at the SFAA meetings in Tucson, helped me while I

searched for funding and later became my compatriot in the field and close friend. Her husband,

Matthew, also provided wonderful support; my first journal article was published with them.

Michelle introduced me to Rachel Adler a few years back during one of many sessions that she