Protégées

Protégées is the plural feminine form of protégé, a term used to describe a person who is mentored, guided, or sponsored by a more experienced individual—a mentor or patron. The concept originates from French, where protégée denotes a protected or guarded person. In English-language use, the feminine form protégée is sometimes employed, while the masculine protégé or the mixed plural protégés are used for groups that include men or when gender is not specified.

Use and contexts: Protégées are common in fields such as the arts, academia, business, and politics, where an established figure provides opportunities, introductions, or resources to help advance a younger or less experienced colleague. The relationship can be formal, through structured mentorship or sponsorship programs, or informal, based on professional rapport and networking.

Relationship dynamics: The protégé typically benefits from guidance, skill development, and access to networks, while the mentor or sponsor gains association with talent and potential future contributions. The arrangement involves expectations of professionalism, progress, and reciprocity, and its balance may evolve as the protégée’s career develops.

Etymology and related terms: The root verb is French protéger, “to protect.” Related concepts include mentor, mentee, sponsor, and patronage, which describe similar dynamics of guidance and support in professional and creative environments. Protégées, as a term, highlights a gendered facet of the mentorship relationship that can appear in discussions of sponsorship and career development.