8 Great Ways to Celebrate Women's History Month Right Now

At IGN, we're thrilled to honor the remarkable women who have shaped history and our industry. These trailblazers create, inspire, and drive positive change not just during Women's History Month, but every day. Join us in learning about, celebrating, and amplifying women's voices. Here's your guide to understanding Women's History Month and discovering 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 recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields." Initially launched as "Women’s History Week" in 1982, it 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.

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 contributions through history by exploring resources like the Smithsonian's website archives, women-run organizations such as StoryCorps, and reliable history publishers like The History Channel. Enhance your knowledge with suggested reads 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

Boost women entrepreneurs by shopping on platforms like Etsy, or using directories like WBD and FoundedByHer to find businesses to support. Amazon also allows you to filter for women-owned retailers across various categories. Additionally, supporting women's career advancement is crucial. Organizations like SoundGirls offer networking and resources to women in the audio industry, helping them to grow and succeed.

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

Explore Hulu's collection of shows and movies with Black female leads or dive into Showtime's SHOWTIME WOMEN® network, which showcases films and documentaries by female talents. Following the 2025 Oscars, catch up on winners like "Anora," featuring lead actress and Oscar winner Mikey Madison.

What We Said in Our Anora Review

Writer Lex Briscuso praised "Anora" as a "hysterical and moving" film that explores sex work, class, and the promises we make and break, with a story that touches the soul through its portrayal of outcasts and outsiders.

7 Days Free### Hulu Free Trial

67See it at Hulu

For more ways to watch "Anora," explore available options. Celebrate women directors by watching acclaimed films like "Barbie," "American Psycho," and "The Hurt Locker." Streaming platforms like Netflix offer curated lists of movies directed by women.

Watch Women's Sports

Don't miss out on women's sports, covered extensively by ESPNW across NWSL, WNBA, NCAAW, and more. Platforms like justwomenssports.com and Women of Wrestling (WOW) provide dedicated coverage. 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 the world of literature with books by women, who now publish over 50% of all books. According to BookRiot, the surge in books by women has significantly boosted the book industry, with a 12.3% increase in revenue in 2021. Explore diverse genres with top-rated books by women authors available 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

For an educational read, consider adding 10 books by Black women to your reading list.

5. Play and Discover Women-Led Games

Despite women making up only about 22% of the video game industry, their contributions are invaluable. Discover more about women in game development through resources like G2A's list and curated lists from Microsoft featuring games by women.

6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women

From news to comedy and true crime, there's a wealth of podcasts hosted by women. NY Public Radio's list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts is a great starting point, available on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and more. Here are some recommendations from IGN's podcast enthusiasts:

1. You're Wrong About

Sarah, a journalist passionate about the past, reconsiders widely misunderstood people and events. Listen on Apple.

2. Ladies & Tangents

Jeri and Ciara, best friends and cousins, share relatable conversations about companionship and human rights. Listen on Apple.

3. Scam Goddess

Laci Mosley explores 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 delve into 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 analyze video game news and share hands-on impressions of upcoming titles. Listen on Apple.

6. My Favorite Murder

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host this original true crime comedy podcast, welcoming you to their "Murderinos" fan club. Listen on Apple.

7. This Ends At Prom

BJ Colangelo and Harmony Colangelo analyze teen girl and coming-of-age movies from queer, feminist, cisgender, and trans perspectives. Listen on Apple.

8. Girlfriend Material

Rosie Turner, a comedy creator and TikToker, shares funny stories and moving moments in this "Gay-Z" podcast. 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 with guests every Thursday. Listen on Apple.

11. Conversations With Moon Body Soul

Kaitee Tyner shares insights on holistic wellness, perfect for those delving into self-care. Listen on Apple.