Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Who are your Mentors?

Who are your mentors in life? How many have shaped you and do you currently have a mentor? In my monthly brainstorming group among friends, my photographer pal Kris asked this question last month. In business I would have to say I do not have a mentor at present.

I would like to talk today though about a mentor I had at the age of 20. While in school I worked at Montgomery Wards in Denton and I had the most dynamic, hardest working manager on the planet, her name was Jimmie Holland. She was like 5 feet tall and yet she walked with a confidence that made good ol boys step aside. She was in her late 50's at that time and she was a role model, a surrogate Mom, and in general a force to be reckoned with. To say she was respected in business is an understatement. She had a long career with Montgomery Wards back during the days when sticking with a company was a sign of loyalty that would be rewarded. She made her way in business the way many women did back then, in high heels with a sense of humor and a strong sense of self that must have served her well in a male dominated work force.

Jimmie reinforced in me a strong work ethic that was already present and more than anything she lead by example. She was an important woman in my life that gave me confidence at a very impressionable age.
Jimmie Lee Holland died Sunday the 27th at the age of 83.

4 comments:

Moira said...

What a lovely tribute to your friend and mentor. She sounds like a great lady who would have been honored to have played a role in your accomplishments.

Moira

P.S. on another note, I featured the ibone on my blog today. Very cool find.

ashley thompson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ashley thompson said...

your work is amazing! its so fun, creative, and beautiful i had to put you on my blog today....

http://adtphoto.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-love-photoshop.html

hope you can take a peek... and thanks again for all the inspiration

Archie and Melissa said...

Hi Rebecca
Isn't it wonderful how we can touch each other's lives?
What a beautiful post.
Melissa