Enter Liz Funk, who knows the ins and outs of being a “Supergirl,” as she calls it: a girl who believes she must achieve perfection in every area of her life. Simultaneously a student, author, blogger and freelance writer, Liz is both living the dream and fulfilling her prophecy that young women today face enormous pressures to be successful. At just nineteen years old, she published her first book while balancing life at Pace University’s Honors College.

In the book, Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls (now available in stores and on Amazon.com) Liz investigates how societal forces impose dangerous pressures on young women to succeed—pressures which can often lead to depression, eating disorders, or other devastating emotional traumas. It is a godsend to any young woman who ever cried upon receiving that “little” envelope from Harvard or clocked hours on the elliptical just to maintain her size 6 frame.

I got the chance to speak with Liz about her book, her passions, and life as a Supergirl. I not only admire her success, but respect her for articulating a problem that affects too many young women. We are proud to feature her in our College Candy series, “The 5 Questions We Ask Everyone,” and wish her luck as she continues her nationwide book tour.

The 5 Questions We Ask Everyone:

1.    What is your favorite college memory/the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I went to college in New York City, and my first year there, my friends and I got a flier for this rooftop party in a really dangerous neighborhood of Brooklyn that was a fundraiser for urban farming.  We went because there would be cheap alcohol and because it sounded fun, and when we got there, it was literally in a terrifying neighborhood, on this sketchy warehouse rooftop; people were doing drugs out in the open and there was a band with the lead singer wearing a snorkel mask and a red Speedo.  It was something out of a movie!  But we had a ton of fun!  The view was incredible.  I’m all about nice views in New York City.

2.    What are the five things you can’t live without?
My BlackBerry, Red Bull, champagne, Aveda leave-in conditioner, and my Coco Mademoiselle perfume. Plus, my family and friends.

3.    What’s your motto/advice you live by?
“I am open to exploring the wonder of my life.”  A life coach who I interviewed for the book, named Cathy Wasserman, told me that and I say that to myself everyday.

4.    Your favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
This is embarrassing: “Burning Up,” by the Jonas Brothers.

5.    Ten years from now you will be….
Hopefully still writing books, and maybe having something to do with Hollywood?  I really like screenwriting and I’ve been thinking about L.A. a little bit lately.  Plus, I need to be somewhere with warm weather.  As much as I’ve loved living in New York, when I’m in the warm weather, I am so happy almost all the time.

And now five questions specifically for Liz:

6. You have published your first book before finishing college! Would you say “Supergirls Speak Out” is more of a cathartic memoir or an attempt to discourage young women from trying to accomplish so much, so fast? In other words, how do you reconcile the message of your book with the fact that you are “Supergirl” yourself?

I think that because I’m a Supergirl, I gave an extra bit of insight to the book.  I think that if a writer who was covering this topic wasn’t a Supergirl, she might have trouble trying to wrap her head around the fact that a young woman on a Saturday night who doesn’t have plans is more likely to stay home and finish a paper due eventually or do a pilates DVD, instead of going to the movies and eating a box of chocolates by herself, because being a Supergirl is about always trying to improve yourself.  Because I was on the same page as most of the girls who I interviewed, it makes it easier for the idiosyncrasies of the Supergirl psyche to not get lost in translation.

7. A lot of young women who want to become writers seem to follow a similar formula for success: find a college with a good writing program, become editor of a campus publication, land an internship/job. How did you deviate from this “traditional” path, and did you ever have doubts along the way to success?

To be perfectly honest, I did what I did largely because I was a Supergirl and because I wanted my career to make me matter.  But I also wanted to write about issues in Generation Y because I don’t think that when adult reporters and commentators take on quintessentially Gen-Y things, like sexting and gossiping and posting racy photos on Facebook, that they get the story right, because they’re not really in the trenches and Gen Y is complicated!  There are some sociologists and media commentators lately who have been writing about how Generation Y is narcissistic and over-entitled and it’s so not true, and we need young writers and commentators in the media, speaking out and serving as a check on the media’s power.  Also, I had a feeling when I was younger that I wanted to be a freelance writer, not an editor, and when you freelance, you have to write full-time for awhile before you start to earn a living wage, so I knew that if I wanted to be able to support myself after college, I had to get acclimated with publications early.  We’ll see what happens!

8. What advice do you have for college-aged women who have a lot on their plate and can’t seem to manage it all?

Two things: first and foremost, I would recommend that girls take a look at their schedules and see if that they are making tasks bigger than they actually are.  I met a lot of Supergirls whose only commitments were 15 credits at school and participation in one student group, but they were mind-blowingly busy 50 hours a week, because they made every little task into a giant production because they wanted everything they did to be perfect and because they felt like they were valuable if they were busy all the time.  So I would encourage girls to consider whether they’re making themselves busy, and why being busy is such a big part of their identities and their sense of self-worth. Then, I would encourage girls to block out some time in their schedules, whether it’s Tuesday evenings or Saturday mornings, to be specifically for doing some completely fun and savoring their success–make yourself your favorite cocktail and watch a DVD marathon of your favorite show, or get a pedicure with your student discount, just for fun!  Girls need to cut stress out of their lives and reward themselves for their successes!

9. If you had one book to bring with you to a remote desert island, what would it be and why?

This is such a great question–and a hard one!  I’m debating between bringing a book that’s super long or one that’s super-complicated. It’s a tie between the 7th Harry Potter book or The Great Gatsby.  The 7th Harry Potter book is huge and has a lot of layers, so you could spend a lot of time reading it and thinking about it.  With the Great Gatsby, you could read that book five or six times and still pick up on some new detail or plot layer in the story every time you read it.

10. Name one person, living or dead, with whom you’d like to have lunch. What will you talk about?
I would love to have lunch with Katie Couric.  I have a feeling that she would have such fascinating insight as to women’s roles in society and the corporate elite, as well as world issues.  Plus, Katie Couric has mastered that tricky balance of having the best of feminine qualities (being relatable, funny, and charming) and also being a professional powerhouse.  I think there’s a lot we can learn from her.

So we all know about roofies and not to accept drinks from guys cuz they’re probably creeps who want to take advantage of us. But how many times do we really apply our knowledge when we’re out at the bars? Have you ever turned down a free drink? (Editor’s Note: Hell no!)

Or how about this:

You set your drink down for a nano second to grab a cigarette (cuz your an impulsive chain smoke under the influence), pick up your drink and you’re back on your merry way. Little did you know, weirdo standing next to you sprinkled a little fairy dust in your drink and the next thing you know you’re falling over yourself as he carries you back into his shady lair.

It’s sad but true, ladies. The study showed that while most girls were aware that taking a drink from a stranger was a big no-no, they didn’t really think about the risk of leaving their drink unattended, even for a split second.

Here’s another scary fact: the U.S. Department of Justice reports that 1 in 5 women will be the victim of a sexual assault during their college years. That’s like saying one of your best friends, or even you, can be sexually assaulted during your 4 years (or longer, we don’t judge) at college. I don’t know about you, but that kinda freaks me out.

The thing is, most of us are probably really aware about the risks associated with a night on the town with the girls. But after a couple vodka shots and a tequila sunrise, that awareness is inclined to drop.

So, let’s try to be smart ladies. I’m not saying don’t drink or have a good time, but the truth is (and we all know this) all guys are creeps so don’t take any drinks from any guys (unless you came with them), watch your drink, and definitely do NOT go home with a guy you just met. That’s just wrong on so many counts.

Yesterday we talked about how to best protect yourself against breast cancer before the age of 40. Today we’ll tackle how to join the fight against the disease. From government policies to medical research, life and death decisions about cancer are made every day. No one can control this disease, but there are plenty of opportunities to fight it. Here’s how to get involved.

Run, Relay, Race

No matter where you live, noncompetitive running, walking and relay events are regularly available for participation. Designed to raise funds and awareness, these events are a great way to support the cause with friends, sneak in some exercise and celebrate survivorship.

In 2006, more than 450,000 walkers across the country took part in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, raising over $40 million to help the American Cancer Society fight this disease.

Another amazing event to take part in is Relay For Life. Held in more than 4,800 communities across the country, teams of eight to 15 people camp out overnight and take turns walking around a track or path for 12 to 24 hours. The event usually begins with a survivor lap in which cancer survivors take a victory lap around the track. Afterwards, candles are lit to remember those lost to the disease.

Donate

Can’t stomach the thought of so much exercise? Donate. Whether it’s a one-time donation or a single pledge or regular, repeated donations throughout the year, every little bit helps. Click here to donate to breast cancer securely and confidentially online using your credit or debit card. You can also opt to send a check or money order via snail mail.

Volunteer

We’re all tight on money these days, so offer to participate. You can make a difference to breast cancer patients and survivors in your community with the simple click of a mouse. Visit the Network for Good to find a huge range of volunteer activities happening in your neighborhood.

You can also ask your local hospital or medical center for opportunities to loan your time and talents. For example, the Comprehensive Breast Center in New York offers group yoga and cooking programs for patients. Other organizations, such as CancerCare, provide transportation, home services and child care for those going through treatment. Find out where they’re most lacking in help.

Plan, Party, Pink

Ready to play hostess? If you’re interested in breast cancer fundraising, visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation and fill out their fundraiser questionnaire. Depending on your resources, NBCF will work with you to prepare an official agreement and plan your event.

If business is in your blood, consider selling pink items. The pink ribbon has become the international symbol of breast cancer awareness, thanks to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which first started handing out pink ribbons in 1991 at its New York City race for breast cancer survivors. Buy in bulk at the Pink Ribbon Shop (a portion of every sale is donated to cancer organizations) and donate the proceeds to a charity working towards finding a cure. To date Pink Ribbon Shop purchases have led to donations of $27,191!

Advocate, Educate

Breast cancer is a political, medical, psychological, social, and economic issue. It doesn’t start (or end) in a doctor’s office. Petition lawmakers, statehouses and Congress to make breast cancer a top priority. Promote early breast cancer detection by supporting educational funding and healthcare initiatives. Most importantly, endorse and back programs that increase innovative, high-impact research.

In 2004 the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) started the Sister Study, a nationwide study to learn about the environmental and genetic causes of breast cancer. Through continued donations and funding, researchers are close to their goal enrolling 50,000 diverse women in the program. Visit the Sister Study site here to find out how you can help.

Whether you are one of the thousands of women effected by breast cancer or hearing about the disease for the first time, every effort counts. Don’t wait to get involved!

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the US during 2008; about 1,990 new cases are expected in men.

Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., and is the second most common cause of death among white, black, Asian, and American Indian women. It is the leading cause of death from cancer in Hispanic women.

While most college women don’t need to worry about developing breast cancer at such a young age (we won’t face the invasion of mammograms until our 40s), there’s still plenty we can and should do to protect ourselves. A  major study released in 2006 indicated that the number of new cases of breast cancer dropped significantly in the reporting period of 2002 to 2003. After 20 years of increases, this is incredibly exciting news and most likely directly correlates to new methods of early detection and prevention.

Over the next few days, CollegeCandy will offer tips, background information and resources to spread the message about this vicious disease. Breast cancer is a scary animal. Even if you don’t have the disease (or know anyone who does), it’s normal to have questions about diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Most college women don’t even know where to begin. CollegeCandy is here to help.

Check back tomorrow for the first blog in our series!

The results surprised scientists, who had previously believed that happiness was stable when looking at societies over time. Bucking the conventional knowledge, happiness levels in forty countries “rose substantially.”

Denmark is the happiest nation, Zimbabwe the least, and the US was rated as the 16th happiest country. A similar survey released last week determined one reason America isn’t ranking higher on the list: Baby Boomers are generally miserable compared to other generations.

Is this true? Is our generation happier than our parents’ generation? Its probably true that our lives are busier as a result of being constantly connected through e-mail, blackberries, cell phones and social networks. I’ve often wondered if this adds or detracts from our general happiness — constant connectivity can be both a blessing and a curse.

As women, we certainly are afforded a collection of freedoms our mothers were denied. Our generation has seen increased educational and career opportunities, lessened social stigma of being single or a single mom and a rise in financial and social freedoms, just to name a few.

By my age, my mom was married with two babies and a mortgage. How times have changed! I’d like to think that my happiness level is higher than it would have been if I grew up in the sixties or seventies. True, I would have loved to hit up Woodstock or rocked a cute peace-sign studded shift dress, but these days I have a world of freedoms and options, unavailable to females my age just a few decades ago.

Whether its extensive travel or making our education or career the focus of our universe, we are truly able to choose our own adventure and need not be tied down to a hubby and rugrats so early in our lives. But does this make us happier? Or were women happier in simple times, when tradition and stability reigned?

I’m not quite sure where the modern, kick-ass, twenty-something female rates on the happiness scale. Some, like the author of What Our Mothers Didn’t Tell Us, would say our ambition and heightened goals have only lead to more unhappiness, confusion and insecurity. Others would say we are over-stressed, over-worked and overly obsessed with material things, body image and success compared to the Baby Boomer Generation. But I think us girls are doing just fine — we’re more socially conscious, more self-aware, more worldly and more open minded than our gray-haired counterparts. And so, somewhat tentatively, I do believe that we, the free and fearless females of our progressive generation, are happier than past generations.

What do you think?