Should Women Officials Seek A Mentor Of The Same Sex?

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Doug
Rut, you don't know a person until you walk a mile in their shoes. You have NO comcept what it is like to be a female official!!

I think that was my point. I do not know what it is like. But unless you are a Black Male, you do not know what it is like or deal with the many issues that I face. That is why I have a circle of Black officials that we all discuss issue of officiating as it relates to us. I would hope if any women official that is out there could, they would do the same thing with the people that they look up to.

I think I can understand more than you realize because I do have a Mother that works at a University, which she has been for 26 years as a Professor. And she was at one time the only Female Chairperson that University had and had to deal with many professional issues as it relates to her gender and race. I also have extensive conversations with her about many issues of professionalism and politics that she not only teaches about but has had to deal with in her long career. Especially the fact that she attended some very good school, much better than her peers at this University and others across the country.

I will never say I completely understand, but I sure as hell can empathize a bit and notices the challenges that women face in officiating or anything for that matter. I have seen gender roles all my life, live and in full color.

Peace