At IGN, we're thrilled to celebrate the remarkable women who have shaped our history and industry. These women create, inspire, empower, and drive positive change not only during Women's History Month but every day of the year. We invite you to join us in learning, celebrating, and amplifying women's voices. Here's a comprehensive guide to Women's History Month and exciting ways to celebrate throughout March.
The History Behind Women's History Month
Women's History Month originated from a petition by the National Women’s History Project in 1987, aiming to honor the invaluable contributions women have made to the United States. This celebration acknowledges the diverse achievements women have accomplished throughout American history.
Initially launched as "Women’s History Week" in 1982, it was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1987. Since 1995, every U.S. President has issued annual proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month, ensuring its continued recognition and importance.
TL;DR - 8 Ways to Celebrate Women's History Month
- Learn About Women in History and Share Their Stories
- Support Women-Owned Businesses and Professionals
- Watch Movies or Shows Directed by Women
- Read Books Written by Women Authors
- Play Games Created by Women
- Listen to Podcasts Featuring Women
- Volunteer at Women-Based Organizations
- Donate to Programs and Organizations Uplifting Women
1. Learn About Women in History and Share Their Stories
Dive into the rich tapestry of women's stories across history by exploring resources like the Smithsonian, StoryCorps, and The History Channel. These platforms offer a wealth of information on women's contributions as inventors, leaders, and more.
More suggested reads:
- How Women Taught Me to Love and Build Games
- Read Yoko Shimomura's Story: The Composer of Kingdom Hearts, Super Mario RPG, and More Wins Game Developers Choice Award for Lifetime Achievement
- Twelve Black Women You Should Know
- 10 Women Inventors You Should Know
2. Support Women-Owned Businesses and Professionals
Support women in business by shopping on platforms like Etsy and using directories such as WBD or FoundedByHer to discover women-led enterprises. Amazon also allows you to filter for women-owned businesses across various categories.
Moreover, supporting women's career growth is crucial. Organizations like SoundGirls provide networking opportunities and support for women in the audio industry. Sharing success stories and promoting such initiatives can significantly uplift women in business.
Also see: 14 Great Women Comic Book Writers.
3. Watch Movies or Shows Featuring Women or Directed by Women
Explore content that showcases women both in front of and behind the camera. Hulu offers a collection of shows and movies with Black female leads, while SHOWTIME WOMEN® celebrates unique and daring works by female talents.
Following the 2025 Oscars, catch up on acclaimed films like "Anora," where Mikey Madison won an Oscar for her lead role. Our review praised "Anora" for its moving portrayal of its lead character and its exploration of sex work, class, and broken promises.
How to Watch Anora
What We Said in Our Anora Review
Writer Lex Briscuso lauded "Sean Baker’s hysterical and moving Anora" for its deep dive into the life of its protagonist, offering a poignant look at life's complexities.
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67See it at Hulu
For more ways to watch Anora, explore additional options.
Discover Women Directors
Celebrate films directed by women, including hits like "Barbie," "American Psycho," and "The Hurt Locker." Streaming platforms like Netflix make it easy to find and enjoy these movies.
Watch Women's Sports
Where to Buy Play It Forward
Don't miss out on women's sports, covered extensively by ESPNW across the NWSL, WNBA, NCAAW, and more. Justwomenssports.com is dedicated solely to women's sports, and WOW (Women of Wrestling) offers exciting content that you can stream.
ESPN+
10Sign up for a standalone ESPN+ subscription or as part of the Disney Bundle that includes Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu. See it at ESPN+
4. Read Books Written by Women
Immerse yourself in books written by women across various genres. Women now publish more than 50% of all books, contributing significantly to the industry's growth. For a diverse reading list, consider "10 books by Black women."
Here are some top-rated books by women authors to get you started via Amazon.
Best-Selling Books by Women Authors
0Browse Amazon's most popular best sellers based on sales and updated frequently. From Kindle Editions to paperback. See it at Amazon
5. Play and Discover Women-Led Games
Discover games crafted by women, from iconic titles like "Portal" and "Celeste" to classics like "Centipede." Games like "Celeste" have made significant cultural impacts, particularly in transgender representation.Despite women making up only about 22% of the video game industry, their contributions are invaluable. Explore lists from G2A, Microsoft, and others to find games created and curated by women.
6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women
Explore a wide range of podcasts hosted by women, covering everything from news and history to comedy and crime. NY Public Radio offers a list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts, available on platforms like Spotify, Apple, and Amazon.
Here are some recommendations from IGN's podcast enthusiasts:
1. You're Wrong About
Sarah, a journalist, reconsiders public perceptions of historical events and figures. Listen on Apple.
2. Ladies & Tangents
Jeri and Ciara, besties and cousins, offer relatable conversations on companionship and human rights. Listen on Apple.
3. Scam Goddess
Laci Mosley delves into the world of scams with humor and insight. Listen on Apple.
4. Axe of the Blood God
Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen explore the world of role-playing games. Listen on Apple.
5. What's Good Games
Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña discuss the latest in video game news. Listen on Apple.
6. My Favorite Murder
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark offer a unique blend of true crime and comedy. Listen on Apple.
7. This Ends At Prom
BJ Colangelo and Harmony Colangelo analyze teen girl movies from queer and feminist perspectives. Listen on Apple.
8. Girlfriend Material
Rosie Turner shares funny stories and moving moments on her "Gay-Z" podcast. Listen on Apple.
9. A Little Queer
Capri and Ashley dive into queer culture and media. Listen on Apple.
10. The Artist In Me Is Dead
Rhonda Willers explores creativity and how to nurture it. Listen on Apple.
11. Conversations With Moon Body Soul
Kaitee Tyner discusses holistic wellness and self-care. Listen on Apple.
