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 just during Women's History Month, but every day. We invite you to join us in learning, celebrating, and amplifying women's voices throughout the year. Here's a comprehensive guide to Women's History Month and 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, aimed at celebrating the significant contributions of women to the United States and acknowledging their achievements across various fields. Initially launched as "Women’s History Week" in 1982, it expanded to a month-long celebration in 1987. Since 1995, every President has issued annual proclamations recognizing March as Women’s History Month, ensuring its continued national 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
Dive into the rich tapestry of women's history by exploring stories of inventors, leaders, and more. Start your journey at reputable sources like the Smithsonian's website, StoryCorps, and The History Channel. For further inspiration, consider these 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
Show your support for women in business by shopping from platforms like Etsy, or using directories such as WBD and FoundedByHer to discover female entrepreneurs. Amazon also offers a filter to shop from women-owned retailers. Additionally, supporting women's career growth through organizations like SoundGirls, which provides networking opportunities for women in the audio industry, is crucial in uplifting women.
For comic enthusiasts, check out: 14 Great Women Comic Book Writers.
3. Watch Movies or Shows Featuring Women or Directed by Women
Dive into films and shows that highlight women's talent both in front of and behind the camera. Hulu features a collection of shows and movies with Black female leads, while SHOWTIME WOMEN® showcases unique films and documentaries by women. Following the 2025 Oscars, catch up on hits like "Anora," featuring Oscar winner Mikey Madison.
Our review of "Anora" by writer Lex Briscuso praises its heartfelt exploration of sex work, class, and the promises we make and break, highlighting the film's emotional depth.
Explore more ways to watch "Anora" and discover legendary 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, covered extensively by ESPNW across NWSL, WNBA, NCAAW, and more. Justwomenssports.com is dedicated solely to women's sports, and we're proud to partner with WOW (Women of Wrestling). Stream most major events on:
4. Read Books Written by Women
Delve into the diverse world of books authored by women, who now publish over 50% of all books. According to BookRiot, the publishing industry saw a 12.3% increase in 2021, reaching $29.3 billion, largely due to the contributions of women authors. Start your reading journey with top-rated books by women available on Amazon, and don't miss out on these 10 books by Black women for an educational experience.
5. Play and Discover Women-Led Games
Explore games crafted by women, from classics like Portal and Celeste to modern hits like the Uncharted series. Celeste, in particular, has made a cultural impact as one of the most important trans games. Despite women constituting only about 22% of the video game industry, their contributions are significant. Browse curated lists from G2A, Microsoft, and other platforms to discover games created by women.
6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women
Engage with a wide range of topics through podcasts hosted by women. From news and history to comedy and true crime, NY Public Radio offers a list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts. Here are some recommendations from IGN's podcast enthusiasts:
- You're Wrong About: Sarah, a journalist, reconsiders public misconceptions. Listen on Apple.
- Ladies & Tangents: Jeri and Ciara share relatable conversations on companionship and human rights. Listen on Apple.
- Scam Goddess: Laci Mosley breaks down scams with comedians. Listen on Apple.
- Axe of the Blood God: Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen explore RPGs. Listen on Apple.
- What's Good Games: Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña discuss video game news. Listen on Apple.
- My Favorite Murder: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host this true crime comedy podcast. Listen on Apple.
- This Ends at Prom: BJ Colangelo 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 from the LGBTQ+ community. Listen on Apple.
- A Little Queer: Capri and Ashley dive into queer culture and media. Listen on Apple.
- The Artist In Me Is Dead: Rhonda Willers explores creativity and how to nurture it. Listen on Apple.
- Conversations With Moon Body Soul: Kaitee Tyner discusses holistic wellness and self-care. Listen on Apple.
