Laila, 9, has gained confidence and greater cultural understanding since being paired with her mentor, Winona, in March 2024. Through open conversations about identity, Winona has helped Laila navigate the complexities of the world, focusing on the importance of mentorship for girls of color. Their discussions, including the real-world impact of politics, are met with Winona’s wisdom and humility. Together, they explore their cultures through community events, continuously learning and growing. Winona proudly creates a safe space for Laila to explore these vital topics, underscoring the power of mentorship in shaping a young girl’s identity.
This March as we celebrate National Women’s History Month, we recognize not only the achievements of women but also the ongoing challenges that girls — especially girls of color — continue to face. While mentorship, like the relationship between Laila and Winona, helps empower girls, it also serves as a vital tool in addressing the systemic barriers they encounter. This is why the recent merger of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts and Big Sister Association of Greater Boston is so significant — it strengthens the platform to empower and inspire girls across the region.
For young girls, especially those from underrepresented communities, mentorship is vital. They face societal pressures and stereotypes that many boys do not. From an early age, young girls are judged on appearance, confronted with barriers to opportunities and subjected to limited expectations. Studies like The Gender Gap in Self-Promotion highlight how girls begin to experience a confidence gap as early as sixth grade, often undermining their self-esteem and performance in academic and professional settings. The 2017 Dove Global Girls Beauty and Confidence Report shows that girls, even at the tender age of 6, start to internalize doubts about their abilities when societal standards about appearance shape their self-worth. The same report also shows that when girls don’t feel confident about the way they look, 8 out of 10 avoid seeing friends or family and 7 out of 10 put their health at risk by not eating.
In a world where they are frequently told who they should be, having a female mentor who understands these struggles is crucial to build confidence. Positive and supportive relationships between mentors and mentees have a direct and measurable impact on children’s lives during some of their most important years. As a former member of the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston’s board, and now a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts’ board, I’ve seen how impactful mentorship can be for young girls, particularly girls of color. Girls don’t just need mentors — they need mentors supporting them who understand their lived experiences and can be there for them during critical years of their youth. Girls of color often face additional hurdles, from microaggressions to confronting stereotypes and expectations that hold them back. They need mentors who will advocate for them, help them develop greater resilience and confidence, and guide them in reaching their fullest potential.
A 2023 study that looked at one-to-one youth mentoring programs shows that mentorship strengthens self-esteem, boosts academic performance and increases the likelihood that young people will pursue and achieve their goals. This is especially important for girls, who often lack support networks and role models. Mentorship creates a safe space for girls to explore their potential, take risks, and set high goals. With support from a mentor, they are more likely to push past societal norms and continue pursuing their dreams.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts and Big Sister Association of Greater Boston have spent over seven decades shaping the futures of thousands of girls across Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. The two organizations uniting creates an exciting opportunity to elevate mentorship for girls. The newly combined organization now has the capacity to reach more female-identifying youth in the region, creating greater access to a mentorship network that will provide tools, shared best practices, and resources, for gender-intentional programming and support.
It is more important now than ever to support girls. This Women’s History Month, we honor the contributions of women past and present while committing to invest in the future of young girls — particularly girls of color — who will shape the world ahead. Mentorship is an essential tool for empowering them, providing guidance, inspiration, and belief in their potential. By championing girls today, we ensure a brighter tomorrow. It’s time for all of us to advocate for more mentorship opportunities — so that every young girl has the chance to thrive and create her own pathway to success.
Joy Moore is vice president and executive director of the Pine Manor Institute for Student Success at Boston College. She served as a board member of the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston and currently sits on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, the state’s leading one-to-one mentoring program for youth. The newly merged nonprofit, under the Big Brothers Big Sister of Eastern Massachusetts umbrella, is now enrolling youth and volunteer mentors. For more information, visit: www.emassbigs.org.
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