"This book seeks to answer questions about the origins of Tunisia's state feminist reputation that have been germinating since the summer and fall of 2001. Thanks to the encouragement and critical perspectives of Nabiha Jerad, I spent many hours in the libraries of the IRMC and later CEMAT reading the works of feminists of the 1980s and 1990s exploring similar themes, Souad Bakalti, Souhayr Belhassen, Sophie Bessis, Souad Chater, and Ilhem Marzouki. Their writings placed women at the center of the story, revealed the superficial feminism of Tunisian legislation, and questioned the ability of the law to transform women's lives. Another parallel body of scholarship, including Abdessalam Ben Hamida and Clement Henry Moore, probed the liberal façade of the postcolonial Tunisian state and its populist claims. Nabiha strongly supported these lines of analysis, introducing me to the Tunisian academy and notably to Abdessalam Ben Hamida and Ilhem Marzouki. Ben Hamida kindly secured permission for me to attend some of his classes, whereas Marzouki invited me into her home sharing her research with me. Both graciously answered the questions of a novice and generously offered knowledge, experience, and insights. Sadly, both Ilhem and Nabiha have since passed marking a major intellectual loss. Nabiha was a mentor and friend for many years"--