Why I Mentor Latinas and Why it Matters Now More Than Ever

Why I Mentor Latinas and Why it Matters Now More Than Ever

I didn’t plan to be a mentor, but I couldn’t ignore the need.

As a Latina in social services, a field largely made up of women, I watched talented women rise in their careers until they reached a ceiling only we could see. I was surrounded by women who looked like me, but as I took on more responsibility, I noticed something unsettling: the spaces where decisions were made were almost empty of Latinas. While our communities were often the ones being served, we were rarely the ones shaping the solutions. I realized the problem wasn’t talent; it was access. So, I started mentoring. One conversation. One mujer. One life changed at a time.

That shift was impossible to ignore. Many capable, driven Latinas weren’t invited into leadership conversations, not because they lacked talent, but because they lacked access. Systems weren’t built with us in mind, and too often, we were expected to lead without guidance, navigate without a roadmap, and constantly prove our worth in rooms where we were the exception.

Mentorship shouldn’t be a luxury; it’s a necessity. It closes gaps not just in opportunity, but in confidence, clarity, and connection. Research confirms what many of us already know: Latinas remain significantly underrepresented in roles of influence across sectors. We only hold 3.3% of managerial roles, with even fewer represented at the strategic level (McKinsey & Company, 2024). Behind every number is a story of potential constrained by a lack of support.

What I didn’t expect was how much mentoring would change me. Every conversation reminded me how different my journey might have been if someone had helped me see what was possible earlier. In the mujeres I mentored, I saw reflections of my younger self: ambitious, capable, and searching for someone to say, “You belong here.” Mentorship gave me clarity about my path. It anchored my leadership in something deeper than achievement alone and ensured others didn’t have to figure it all out alone.

Why Mentorship Matters

Latinas don’t lack talent or ambition. What’s often missing is access to culturally grounded support, someone who understands both the barriers we face and the strengths we bring.

Mentorship isn’t just professional guidance; it’s creating space to be seen, affirmed, and equipped. A good mentor doesn’t help you merely fit in; they help you lead from your full identity, with pride and purpose. When grounded in our cultural values such as juntos (togetherness), adelante (moving forward), and fe y esperanza (faith and hope), mentorship becomes transformative. Mentors who’ve navigated bicultural and bilingual realities bring guidance that is both strategic and soul-affirming.

Where We Go From Here

For Latinas: Seek mentors who understand your journey, and be that person for someone else when you can. Sharing what you’ve learned widens the path for others.

For organizations: Mentorship programs only succeed when they are culturally aware and community-rooted. Representation is just the start; meaningful support systems must follow.

For allies: Uplift our voices. Champion our presence. Leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about impact, and each of us has the power to shape the future.

Every conversation, connection, and act of guidance strengthens the path for Latinas in leadership. Mentorship transforms potential into impact, creating opportunities for growth, empowerment, and meaningful change. In September, The Latina Lens is highlighting why mentoring Latinas is more than professional guidance; it’s a movement that empowers, affirms, and transforms, showing how mentors guide, inspire, and widen the path for the next generation of Latina leaders.