At IGN, we're thrilled to honor the women who have shaped our history and industry. These remarkable individuals create, inspire, empower, and drive positive change not only during Women's History Month but throughout the year. We invite you to join us in our ongoing journey of learning, celebration, and amplifying women's voices. Dive into the history of Women's History Month and discover inspiring 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, ensuring its continued recognition and celebration.
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
Explore the fascinating stories of women in history through various online resources. Begin your journey at renowned institutions like the Smithsonian, organizations such as StoryCorps, and history-based publishers like The History Channel. Delve into inspiring narratives with suggested reads such as "How Women Taught Me to Love and Build Games," Yoko Shimomura's journey as a celebrated composer, and the influential stories of "Twelve Black Women You Should Know" and "10 Women Inventors You Should Know."
2. Support Women-Owned Businesses and Professionals
Support women in business by shopping from platforms like Etsy, or using directories like WBD and FoundedByHer to find women-owned enterprises. You can even filter on Amazon to shop from women-owned retailers across various categories. Beyond shopping, contribute to their career growth by supporting organizations like SoundGirls, which fosters networking and professional development for women in the audio industry. Celebrate their success and spread the word about resources that offer workshops and networking opportunities.
3. Watch Movies or Shows Featuring Women or Directed by Women
Dive into the rich world of films and shows directed by or featuring women. Hulu offers a collection of shows and movies with Black female leads, while Showtime's SHOWTIME WOMEN® celebrates women both in front of and behind the camera. Following the 2025 Oscars, catch up on acclaimed films like "Anora," starring the Oscar-winning Mikey Madison. Lex Briscuso's review of "Anora" praised its heartfelt exploration of its lead character's journey.
Celebrate women directors by watching legendary films like "Barbie," "American Psycho," and "The Hurt Locker." Streaming platforms like Netflix make it easy to find movies directed by women. And don't forget women's sports—tune into ESPNW for coverage of major sports leagues like NWSL, WNBA, and NCAAW, or visit justwomenssports.com for dedicated coverage. IGN also partners with WOW (Women of Wrestling), offering insights and streaming information.
4. Read Books Written by Women
Explore the diverse world of books authored by women, spanning all genres. According to BookRiot, women have published more than 50% of all books since 2020, significantly boosting the book industry. Dive into enlightening reads like "10 books by Black women" and browse Amazon's top-rated books by women authors to start your reading journey.
5. Play and Discover Women-Led Games
Celebrate the creativity of women in the gaming industry, from developers to designers and writers. Enjoy classics like Portal, Celeste, and the Uncharted series, all influenced by women's talent. Celeste, in particular, has made a significant cultural impact as one of the most important trans games. Explore lists of games created by women on platforms like G2A and Microsoft to discover new titles.
6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women
Immerse yourself in the world of podcasts hosted by women, covering genres from news to comedy and true crime. NY Public Radio lists over 100 women-hosted podcasts available on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and more. IGN recommends favorites like "You're Wrong About," "Ladies & Tangents," "Scam Goddess," "Axe of the Blood God," "What's Good Games," "My Favorite Murder," "This Ends at Prom," "Girlfriend Material," "A Little Queer," "The Artist In Me Is Dead," and "Conversations With Moon Body Soul."
