Processes for making reactive surfactants are disclosed. In one such process, a fatty epoxide, a glycidyl ether, or a combination thereof is reacted with an olefin-functional nucleophile to produce an olefin-functional hydrophobe. The olefin-functional hydrophobe is reacted with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxides, or a combination thereof to produce an alkoxylate. Optionally, the alkoxylate is converted to the corresponding sulfate, phosphate, or maleate. Surfactant compositions comprising the reactive surfactants made by these processes are also described. The invention includes polymerizable mixtures comprising an acrylic monomer and the surfactant compositions as well as aqueous acrylic latex emulsions and coatings produced from the emulsions. The reactive surfactants deliver stable latex emulsions with reduced tendency for surfactant migration or excessive foaming. Coatings from the emulsions have improved wet adhesion, scrub resistance, and water resistance.