There’s something magical that occurs when women of various generations come together. You can often see the wisdom flow over decades, creating connections and understanding between past struggles and future opportunities. In a world where so much space is made for women to “lean in” or “girl boss” our way to the top, intergenerational mentorship offers something so much greater: the beauty that comes with shared experience and genuine connection.
What Is Intergenerational Mentorship?
What Does This Mean?
At its simplest definition, intergenerational mentorship fosters meaningful connections between individuals of different ages who can learn from each other. It’s also not just about the older generation imparting wisdom, even though that is a part of it. It is also about younger generations bringing fresh perspectives, tech-savviness, and new ways of thinking; while older generations are imparting a wealth of real-life experience they have gained while navigating through significant uncertainties and challenges in their lives.
Look it is like a form of study abroad for life experiences. Just like my 72-year-old neighbor passed down her knowledge of negotiating for a raise (the type of thing business schools don’t teach you), I was able to help her grasp what LinkedIn is really useful for and help her reach out to her past colleagues. We both gained from each other’s company and knowledge.
What is the Unique Position of Women in Mentorship
There are so many reasons why women’s mentorship is meaningful, but the shared experience of overcoming barriers and challenges together as women is most profound for me. History gives us many examples of barriers that were difficult for women to overcome to get to the boardroom, and, ultimately, the level of equality we have today. From women’s suffrage to the glass ceiling, and so much more, we have had to learn to navigate structures and systems that were not built for women. The struggles we overcome create a trust and commonality in mentorship that is priceless.
Women’s mentorship is also distinctly different, and it is even more valuable than traditional mentorship, in its more holistic approach. Traditional mentorship often has an extreme focus on career advancement, and not much else. Women’s mentors, however, often counsel on the whole person: Work-life balance, the feeling of the impostor syndrome, negotiating everything from salaries to gender bias, and even the responsibilities of the mental load.
Benefits of Learning from Inspiring Women
Personal Development Through Wisdom
The personal growth that comes from learning from inspiring women can be transformative. When my mentor shared her story of being the only woman in her engineering program in the 1970s, it put my challenges into perspective. Her resilience in the face of blatant discrimination taught me that the subtle biases I face today, while still significant, can be overcome with persistence and strategic thinking.
These relationships offer more than just career advice – they provide life wisdom. Learning how previous generations of women balanced family responsibilities, pursued education later in life, or reinvented themselves after setbacks gives us a roadmap for our journeys.
Career Growth and Networking Opportunities
The professional benefits of intergenerational mentorship extend far beyond resume tips. Experienced women mentors often have extensive networks built over decades, and they’re usually more than willing to make introductions. But perhaps more importantly, they can help you navigate the unwritten rules of workplace culture that no one tells you about in orientation.
I’ve seen countless examples of women whose careers were transformed by a single introduction or piece of advice from a mentor. One friend credits her career pivot from accounting to sustainable fashion to a conversation with her 60-year-old mentor who asked, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”
Boosting Confidence and Challenging Stereotypes
One of the most powerful aspects of learning from inspiring women is how it helps us redefine what’s possible. When you see women who’ve broken barriers and defied expectations, it becomes easier to envision yourself doing the same. These mentors help us recognize that being assertive isn’t being difficult, that ambition isn’t unfeminine, and that we don’t have to choose between success and authenticity.
Real-World Examples of Women’s Mentorship Impact
Historic Figures as Mentors
Mentorship does not necessarily require contact. There are individuals, many are historic figures, who still provide mentorship through their writings, drawings, videos, and photos. For instance, there are mentors like Maya Angelou, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Marie Curie who continue to provide mentorship through their written accounts. For example, the persistence they demonstrated despite the challenges they faced gives us the steps, even if they are no longer with us.
Modern-Day Mentorship Success Stories
Today’s stories of mentorship are equally impressive. No matter whether it is tech executives mentoring young women considering STEM occupations, or entrepreneurs talking about their lived experience with other aspiring business owners, these friendships are creating waves of influence across our society, The beautiful thing about mentorship in today’s world is that finding a mentor is easier than ever, due to professional organizations, online platforms and community groups.
How to Engage in Intergenerational Mentorship with Women
Finding a Compatible Mentor
Finding the right mentor is like dating – it’s about compatibility, not just credentials. Look for women whose values align with yours, whose journey resonates with your aspirations, and who challenge you to grow. Some practical places to start:
- Professional associations in your field
- Alumni networks from your school
- Community organizations and volunteer groups
- Online mentorship platforms
- LinkedIn connections who inspire you
Cultivating a Strong Mentor-Mentee Bond
Purposeful mentorship doesn’t happen automatically. It takes intentionality. Communication, curiosity, and respect are key elements of your relationship. Always come to meetings with questions or dilemmas, but be open to these conversations taking a different direction. In fact, some of the best mentorship takes place when you discuss something unexpected.
Don’t forget to be grateful – not just by writing thank-you cards (which are important), but by trying their advice and sharing what happened. Nothing makes a mentor happier than to see a mentee succeed.
Navigating Generational Differences
Generational differences can sometimes create communication challenges, but they’re also what make these relationships so valuable. Be patient with different communication styles – your mentor might prefer phone calls over texts, or face-to-face meetings over Zoom. These preferences often come with good reasons rooted in their experiences.
The Wider Impact of Women-Led Mentorship
Empowering Communities
The power of women mentoring women can be felt far beyond what is experienced at the individual level. When they mentor other women, from their relationships with each other, they create networks that strengthen whole communities. Each woman they mentor also continues to be more likely to mentor others, creating an exponential avalanche of empowerment.
Influencing Next Generations
This is perhaps the most beautiful outcome of intergenerational mentoring: how mentorship influences the future. When young women see what is possible through the lens of their mentors, their dreams grow and their aspirations expand. They enter the workplace more confident, they negotiate better, and they are more likely to lift others up as they continue to climb.
The wisdom passed on in these relationships does not stay inside the confines of the original relationship – it is passed down through generations, creating a legacy of empowerment that changes individual lives and societies. Each conversation, each shared experience, each word of advice is a building block for women yet to come.
In the end, intergenerational mentorship among women is about more than professional development or personal growth. It’s about honoring the struggles of those who came before us while paving the way for those who will follow. It’s about recognizing that we’re all part of a larger story – one where each generation of women makes the path a little easier for the next.
