She Spoke My Name
As I sat to write this piece on my mentorship journey, the the stories of two women, Esther and Ruth, came to mind. I know you probably know an Esther or a Ruth somewhere, but I am speaking of the women in Scripture. Mordecai helped Esther recognize an opportunity she may not have fully seen on her own, reminding her that she had come into her position “for such a time as this.” Naomi gently guided Ruth, encouraging her to step forward and speak to Boaz, positioning her for a future she could not yet imagine. Their stories remind me that sometimes, and perhaps all the time, destiny is unlocked through guidance.
Every woman (and man) needs someone who speaks their name in rooms they may never enter alone; someone who has walked the path before them, who can offer wisdom, perspective, and steady reassurance along the journey. In many ways, this reflects my own path through motherhood and my career.
Years ago, someone spoke my name to a person who would later become my mentor. Through M_OliveS, I was connected to a guide who walked alongside me in a season that quietly reshaped my future. The relationship we built shifted the trajectory of my life both personally and professionally. It gave me clarity when I felt uncertain, confidence when I doubted myself and courage to grow beyond my comfort zone. Life did not suddenly become easier, but the weight of decision-making became lighter because I was no longer navigating alone.
Years later, my guide and mentor spoke my name in a room I may not have entered alone and to a person who also became an additional guide. Over time, I have encountered mentors who walked with me for a season and others who continue to shape my path. One of the greatest privileges of this journey has been witnessing the ripple effect of mentorship and seeing its impact on others’ personal and professional growth, including in my day-to-day work at Capital Strategies Kenya Ltd, where I have had the opportunity to oversee and support the design, delivery and implementation of mentorship programmes. I have also been privileged to mentor others in return, paying forward what was once generously given to me, while continuing to refine my own mentorship skills through the M_OliveS Mentoring Program.
So, to the woman stepping into motherhood, building her career, or turning a new page: your journey can be lighter and more intentional with a mentor by your side. And to the woman who now feels grounded and established, this is your moment to reach back and walk alongside another. This is how we rise, by holding the next person’s hand and by allowing ourselves to be held.
Happy International Women’s Day.
With love,
A Mentored Woman