So, I was talking to Mom the other day and she asked me why I didn’t write about women who have mentored me. She then went on to explain about how many women I would have to write about. Her, My other mom (there’s a story), Rachel, Shirley (Mother in Law), my 3 sisters, etc.
Also, it just doesn’t process for me that way. I have learned AT LEAST as much, if not more, from women as I have from men. But the word ‘mentor’ brings men to my mind. I suppose I think of it as specific to men and gender.
This is what my dictionary thing on my computer says:
mentor |ˈmenˌtôr; -tər|nounan experienced and trusted adviser : he was her friend and mentor until his death in 1915.• an experienced person in a company, college, or school who trains and counsels new employees or students.verb [ trans. ]to advise or train (someone, esp. a younger colleague).DERIVATIVESmentorship |-ˌ sh ip| nounORIGIN mid 18th cent.: via French and Latin from Greek Mentōr, the name of the adviser of the young Telemachus in Homer’s Odyssey.
I wish my name were Telemachus. It would be sad to have two cool names though. Blazer is so good already… Anyway, that is why I don’t write about women!