With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to talk about something that doesn’t always get enough credit: the way motherhood shapes women into incredible mentors, not just to their own kids, but to everyone around them.

If you’re a woman in leadership, you already know: leading isn’t just about making the right calls. It's about building people up, spotting potential, and encouraging others to step into leadership too. That’s why women, especially mothers, are some of the most powerful mentors out there.

When we think about mentorship, we often picture a one-way street, like an expert handing down advice to a student. But real mentorship is so much more than that. It’s about connection, trust, and growing together. And if there’s anything motherhood teaches, it’s how to nurture growth, build trust, and meet people where they are. Mothers don’t lead with authority alone; they lead with empathy, patience, and an almost magical ability to see and bring out the best in others, even when that growth takes time and detours.

Across cultures and history, women have always been the ones forming deep, lasting relationships outside of family ties with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and community members. Those same instincts, to listen without judgment, to create safe spaces for vulnerability, and to lift others up, are exactly what make women exceptional mentors.

And let’s be honest: women, especially mothers, are pros at the emotional labor that holds everything together. Mothers are just tuned in. They know when someone needs a pep talk, a new perspective, or just a quiet moment of being heard. They don't just dish out advice, they build a sense of belonging in others. Mothers remind people they aren’t figuring it out alone. And when young leaders feel that kind of support, they go out and lead with the same compassion and strength.

Mentorship is like planting seeds that grow into forests. Every time you pour into another leader, you’re shaping a future generation that values authenticity, empathy, and real connection. This is the kind of leadership the world needs more of — and women, especially those who have learned through motherhood what it means to nurture and grow others, are leading the way.

So this Mother’s Day, whether you’re a mom yourself or you’ve been shaped by the women who mentored you, take a moment to recognize the incredible impact you’re making. By mentoring with heart, you’re not just lifting others. You’re building a stronger, more connected future for all of us.

Women's Public Leadership Network (WPLN) was created to build a support system for women across the country who want to make a difference in their communities. To connect with a powerful network of women leaders and mentors who are shaping the future, check out our mission at WPLN and join our community dedicated to empowering women in leadership at womenspublicleadership.net.