Baglady Collective Mentor-Ship

This chapter delves into the innovative mentoring practices developed by the #baglady collective, highlighting the relational nature of mentoring amid uncertainties and non-linear actions. Drawing inspiration from Kuby and Le Guin’s The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction (2019), we reconceptualize mentoring as a nurturing process that embraces stories, memories, and emotions while pushing against conventional notions of identity. We examine the impact of neoliberal and hierarchical structures on mentoring dynamics, offering rich images of thought from notable scholars. Through embodied stories, we illustrate bi-directional support and the emergence of intra-active mentor-ship. This chapter concludes with a provocation inviting readers to reflect on their mentoring practices, challenging them to embrace a more inclusive and supportive approach. This exploration reclaims the term ‘baglady’ as a symbol of resilience and feminist rebellion, encouraging growth and connection among individuals.