At IGN, we're thrilled to honor the women who shape our history and industry—those who create, inspire, empower, and drive positive change. This isn't just for Women's History Month in March; it's a year-round celebration. We invite you to join us in learning, celebrating, and amplifying women's voices. Here's a comprehensive guide to understanding Women's History Month and engaging ways to celebrate 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, aiming to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and acknowledge their specific achievements across American history in various fields. Initially, it was a week-long event called "Women’s History Week," starting in 1982 during the week of March 7. It evolved into a month-long national celebration in 1987. Since 1995, every President has issued annual proclamations to designate March as Women’s History Month, ensuring its continued recognition.
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 rich tapestry of women's stories in history through online resources. Start your journey with museum archives like the Smithsonian, women-led organizations such as StoryCorps, and reputable history publishers like The History Channel. For more inspiration, explore stories like:
- 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
Show your support for women in business by shopping from women-owned enterprises. Platforms like Etsy offer a vast selection, while directories such as WBD and FoundedByHer are excellent resources for discovering female entrepreneurs. Amazon also allows you to filter and shop from women-owned retailers across various categories. Additionally, empowering women in their professional growth is crucial. Organizations like SoundGirls provide networking and support for women in the audio industry, helping to elevate their careers.
For more inspiration, check out the list of 14 Great Women Comic Book Writers.
3. Watch Movies or Shows Featuring Women or Directed by Women
Explore the cinematic contributions of women through movies and shows. Hulu offers a collection of content with Black female leads, while Showtime's SHOWTIME WOMEN® network highlights women's unique talents in film and documentary. Following the 2025 Oscars, catch up on hits like Anora, where lead actress Mikey Madison won an Oscar.
In our review of Anora, writer Lex Briscuso praised it as "Sean Baker’s hysterical and moving Anora serves up its lead character’s purity of heart on a silver platter, showing us what it means to be let down just when the world seems so full of possibility. In this frank exploration of sex work, class, and the promises we make and break, the director reaches our souls and reminds us life isn’t all it seems to be through a story of outcasts and outsiders."
Discover more ways to watch Anora and delve into films directed by women, such as Barbie, American Psycho, and The Hurt Locker, available on platforms like Netflix.
Watch Women's Sports
Don't miss out on women's sports, with coverage available on ESPNW for major sports like NWSL, WNBA, and NCAAW, and dedicated platforms like justwomenssports.com. IGN also supports Women of Wrestling (WOW), which you can stream here. With the growing popularity of women's sports, you can catch most major events on:
4. Read Books Written by Women
Dive into literature by women, who now publish over 50% of all books, contributing significantly to the industry's growth. According to BookRiot, the book industry saw a 12.3% increase in 2021, generating $29.3 billion. Diversifying the publishing industry is not only equitable but also highly popular among readers. Add these to your reading list:
- 10 books by Black women
- Top-rated books by women authors available on Amazon
5. Play and Discover Women-Led Games
Celebrate women's contributions to gaming with titles like Portal, Celeste, the Uncharted series, and classic arcade games like Centipede. Celeste's five-year journey to becoming one of the most important trans games ever is a testament to its cultural impact. You can purchase or download Celeste on Nintendo.com for $19.99. Despite women making up only about 22% of the video game industry, their influence is profound. Explore game lists featuring women creators on platforms like G2A and Microsoft to discover more.
6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women
Engage with diverse content through podcasts hosted by women. NY Public Radio offers a list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts on various topics from news to comedy and criminal storytelling. Here are some recommendations from IGN's own podcast enthusiasts:
- You're Wrong About: Journalist Sarah reconsiders people or events miscast in public imagination. Listen on Apple.
- Ladies & Tangents: Besties and cousins Jeri and Ciara discuss relatable topics around companionship and human rights. Listen on Apple.
- Scam Goddess: Laci Mosley explores historic scams with comedians in this fun true crime podcast. Listen on Apple.
- Axe of the Blood God: Dive into the world of RPGs with hosts Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen. Listen on Apple.
- What's Good Games: Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña analyze video game news and provide hands-on impressions. Listen on Apple.
- My Favorite Murder: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host this original true crime comedy podcast. Listen on Apple.
- This Ends at Prom: BJ and Harmony Colangelo analyze teen girl movies from queer and feminist perspectives. Listen on Apple.
- Girlfriend Material: Rosie Turner shares funny stories and moving moments in this "Gay-Z" podcast. Listen on Apple.
- A Little Queer: Capri and Ashley explore queer culture and media. Listen on Apple.
- The Artist In Me Is Dead: Rhonda Willers and guests discuss creativity and how to nurture it. Listen on Apple.
- Conversations With Moon Body Soul: Kaitee Tyner delves into holistic wellness and self-care. Listen on Apple.
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