Liz Funk - Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls

There are so many people who have contributed to this book and who have nurtured me as both a writer and a person. Twelve-point font probably cant do justice to the deep feelings of gratitude that I feel, but Ill give it a shot!

I probably owe the first thanks to Courtney Martin, who really mentored me in the publishing industry and in feminist pursuits, and who introduced me to my agent. Naturally, I want to thank my agent, Wendy Sherman, who brought such energy and dedication to our work together and gives all her work such flair. I want to thank my editor, Michelle Howry, who has been a blast to work with and has made every step of this book fun and exciting, in addition to giving me constant guidance, insightful comments, and mentoring. A big thanks to Meghan Stevenson, another great editor at Touchstone Fireside, who helped so much throughout the course of this book. Also, thank you to Ellen Silberman for her incredible work on the publicity and promotion of this book.

The stars of this book: Katie, Pegah, Allie, Leah, and Yolanda were endlessly open to the strangeness of letting a 19-year-old journalist follow them around. You were all so much fun to hang out withand I promise you, you all have incredibly fascinating lives. Thank you to Sherri Taylor, a fantastic educator at Syracuse University, for being so willing to allow me to participate in the School Press Institute and also for organizing the summer camp that made me certain that writing was my calling. Big thank-yous are also owed to Cliff Odell and Dr. Bonnie Morris for making my connections with some of our other main characters possible. Also, thank you to each and every young woman and expert who agreed to be interviewed: it was really invigorating to hear all of their stories and insight, and I so appreciate their candidness. Thank you to Jenna, who didnt officially lend her story to this book, but whose story and life have influenced more than just a couple of girls. Also, a huge thanks to Christina Foglia for helping me find such great sources.

During the course of researching, writing, and promoting this book, Ive met so many amazing writers and experts who have been a blast to get to know and work with, especially Amber Madison, Hannah Seligson, and Leora Tanenbaum. And a big thank-you to Cathy Wasserman for helping meand Supergirls everywhere!become open to exploring the mystery of their lives. Ive had other really inspiring mentors, especially Melissa Walker, Laura Sessions Stepp, Jamia Wilson, Erin Matson, and Marissa Meltzer: thank you all for the amazing work youve done not just for me, but for women and culture, too.

Ive had some truly inspiring professors and teachers along the way, especially Jan Geyer, Jai Misir, Jonathan Silverman, and Sid Ray, who have all given me fantastic advice about writing and life. Also, a big thanks to Mrs. Bills, Mr. Streifer, Ms. Griffin, Ms. Levy, Ms. Riddell, and Mr. Diefendorf, the people who so inspired me in high school who Ive never formally thanked but should have.

A big thanks to the members of my writers groups and book clubs: you all have helped shape me and figured out how to pare down my writing and get stuff publishedplus, you make work so much fun!

I cant explain how lucky I am to have been so openly welcomed to the progressive family at Young People For, and I cant thank everyone at People for the American Way Foundation enough, especially Rachel Burrows and Iara Peng! Big thanks also belong to Erin McNamara, Sonal Bains, and Caroline Ross, not only for the change they provoke, but more importantly, for being such great friends!

My friends are really my lifeline, and there are no words to describe how much I appreciate their willingness to accept my quirks and love me anyway. Thanks so much to Michele, Cheri, Lauren, Kate, Rikki, Blair, and Bridget: you gals consistently amaze me with your grace and beauty. Thanks to Natascha for helping me loosen up, stop taking things so seriously, and have fun! A big thanks to the Pace Press -ers, especially Jackie Berg, Adam Reichardt, Tyler Davis, and Neelofer Qudir. Thanks to Austin and Adrian for being my most vocal fans and for always giving me such fantastic advice; thanks to Kaitlin for always knowing how to bring fun and Dave Matthews into the mix. My best friends, Tara and Hilary, have been there for me through thick and thin and always let me hijack their iPods in the car and sit in the middle whenever we go places. I couldnt wish for better best friends.

Endless thanks also belong to my family, who have been such a strong support system for me throughout my life and my writing career. Thanks so much to Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Pat, Uncle Anthony and Aunt Kathleen, Aunt Diane, and Uncle Pete and Aunt Julie, plus the entire litter of cousins that constitutes my extended family, for being so quirky and fun, but more importantly, so loving. Although not officially family, thank you to the Smith family for being an extra support system.

Thank you to Dad for instilling creativity and a dedication to the arts in me. Thank you to Gary for teaching me to always help others in a bind. Thank you to my mom for everything she has done for me. Mom, you amaze me with your wit, your love, and your dedication to always do the right thing; I cant thank you enough for everything throughout the years and for the messages that you helped me find within The Wizard of Oz . Final thanks belong to my sister, Allie: Allie, you are a gem. I have always admired your dedication to others, your talent, your humor, and your zest for life. You are a role model to me and I believe to girls everywhere, and for that I dedicate my first book to you.

Touchstone
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
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New York, NY 10020

Copyright 2009 by Liz Funk

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Touchstone Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Funk, Liz.
Supergirls speak out: inside the secret crisis of overachieving girls / Liz Funk.
p. cm.

1. Young womenPsychology. 2. Success. 3. Sex role. I. Title
HQ1233.F86 2009
155.6'5dc22 208017408

ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-6277-1
ISBN-10: 1-4165-6277-X

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For my sister, Allie,

who is as perfect as a girl can get
without it being a cause for concern
and who has always unselfishly cared
about the well-being of others.