Celebrate Women's History Month: 8 Ways to Honor Now

At IGN, we're thrilled to celebrate the remarkable women who have shaped our history and industry through their creativity, inspiration, empowerment, and positive impact. This celebration extends beyond Women's History Month in March to every month of the year. We invite you to join us in learning about, celebrating, and amplifying women's voices. Here's a comprehensive guide to Women's History Month and some inspiring ways to celebrate it this 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, with the goal of celebrating the significant contributions women have made to the United States and recognizing their specific achievements across various fields throughout American history. Initially, it was designated as "Women’s History Week" in 1982, coinciding with March 7th. It evolved into a month-long celebration in 1987, and since 1995, every President has issued annual proclamations recognizing March as Women’s History Month.

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

Delve into the inspiring stories of women throughout history, from inventors to leaders. Start your journey with resources like the Smithsonian's archives, StoryCorps, and The History Channel. Here are some suggested reads to get you started:

• How Women Taught Me to Love and Build Games
• 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

Empower women in business by shopping from women-owned enterprises on platforms like Etsy, and utilize directories such as WBD and FoundedByHer to discover talented female entrepreneurs. Additionally, Amazon offers a filter to shop from women-owned retailers across various categories. Beyond purchasing, supporting women's career growth through organizations like SoundGirls, which provides networking and support in the audio industry, is crucial. Sharing success stories and spreading the word about organizations that offer workshops and resources can significantly uplift women in business.

• 14 Great Women Comic Book Writers

3. Watch Movies or Shows Featuring Women or Directed by Women

Explore content created by women on platforms like Hulu, which features a collection of shows and movies with Black female leads, and SHOWTIME WOMEN®, celebrating women in front of and behind the camera. After the 2025 Oscars, catch up on acclaimed films like Anora, starring Oscar winner Mikey Madison.

How to Watch Anora

What We Said in Our Anora Review

Writer Lex Briscuso praised "Sean Baker’s hysterical and moving Anora," highlighting its exploration of sex work, class, and broken promises, emphasizing the film's profound impact on its audience.

7 Days Free### Hulu Free Trial

67See it at Hulu

Discover more ways to watch Anora and explore films directed by women, including hits like Barbie, American Psycho, and The Hurt Locker, available on platforms like Netflix.

Watch Women's Sports

Where to Buy Play It Forward

Don't overlook women's sports, with coverage from ESPNW on major events like NWSL, WNBA, and NCAAW, and dedicated sites like justwomenssports.com. IGN has also partnered with WOW (Women of Wrestling), providing coverage and interviews. Stream major events on:

### 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

Dive into a variety of genres with books written by women, who have published over 50% of all books since 2020, contributing to a thriving book industry. According to BookRiot, the industry saw a 12.3% increase in 2021, generating $29.3 billion. Enhance your reading list with 10 books by Black women and explore top-rated books by women authors on 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

Explore games created by women, from classics like Portal and Celeste to impactful titles like the Uncharted series and Centipede. Notably, Celeste has made a significant cultural impact as one of the most important trans games. Available for $19.99 on Nintendo.com, it's a must-play.

Despite women making up only about 22% of the video game industry, their contributions are invaluable. Learn more from the 2017 Snapshot of Women in Video Game Development, which remains relevant today. Browse curated lists from G2A and Microsoft to discover games created and curated by women.

6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women

Explore podcasts hosted by women covering a wide range of topics, from news and history to comedy and true crime. NY Public Radio offers a list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts. Here are some top recommendations from IGN's podcast enthusiasts (in no particular order):

1. You're Wrong About

Sarah, a journalist with a passion for the past, reconsiders public perceptions of historical figures and events. Listen on Apple.

2. Ladies & Tangents

Jeri and Ciara, best friends and cousins, engage listeners with their relatable discussions on companionship and human rights. Listen on Apple.

3. Scam Goddess

Laci Mosley delves into the latest scams and historic hoodwinks, offering a fun twist on true crime. Listen on Apple.

4. Axe of the Blood God

Join Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen as they explore the world of RPGs, from Final Fantasy to Skyrim. Listen on Apple.

5. What's Good Games

Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña provide weekly analysis of video game news and hands-on impressions of upcoming titles. Listen on Apple.

6. My Favorite Murder

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host the original hit true crime comedy podcast, inviting listeners into the "Murderino" fan club. Listen on Apple.

7. This Ends At Prom

BJ Colangelo and Harmony Colangelo analyze the impact of teen girl movies from queer and feminist perspectives. Listen on Apple.

8. Girlfriend Material

Rosie Turner's "Gay-Z" podcast offers funny stories and moving moments, welcoming everyone on their LGBTQ+ journey. Listen on Apple.

9. A Little Queer

Capri and Ashley dive into queer culture, advice, and media, becoming your new BFFs. Listen on Apple.

10. The Artist In Me Is Dead

Rhonda Willers explores creativity and how to nurture it back to life, discussing when people feel most creative. Listen on Apple.

11. Conversations With Moon Body Soul

Kaitee Tyner shares insights on holistic wellness, perfect for those looking to enhance their self-care practices. Listen on Apple.