Currently, men hold the majority of superintendencies in the United States. A 2000 study found that 94.9 percent of American superintendents are white and 86.6 are male. Only 13.2 percent of the nation's superintendent positions are held by women, 91.6 percent of whom are white and 7.1 percent are minority. The absence of mentoring relationships, role models, and networks are frequently cited in the literature as primary reasons why more women do not go into the superintendency. This study was conducted to gather descriptive data on female and male superintendents in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida involved in a mentoring relationship and to examine the perceived helpfulness of career and psychosocial mentoring functions provided by their mentors. Hypotheses to be investigated involved whether differences exist between same-gender and cross-gender mentoring relationships. Data were collected using mailed survey forms. Statistical analysis of data shows that male mentors were chosen more frequently by both male and female superintendents. Few females were selected as mentors. Mentors for Caucasian and female superintendents were predominately Caucasian males. Further research is recommended comparing groups of superintendents involved in mentoring programs at various stages of their careers, and comparing groups of same-gender and/or cross-gender superintendents with various ethnic backgrounds. (Contains 124 references.) (RT)