At IGN, we're thrilled to honor and celebrate women who have shaped history and our industry through their creativity, inspiration, and empowerment, not just during Women's History Month, but every day. We encourage you to join us in learning, celebrating, and amplifying women's voices. Here's a comprehensive guide to Women's History Month and some inspiring ways to celebrate it in 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 of women to the United States and acknowledge their specific achievements across various fields throughout American history.
It's fascinating to note that Women’s History Month started as "Women’s History Week" in 1982, during the week of March 7. It evolved into a month-long celebration in 1987. Since 1995, every President has issued annual proclamations designating 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
Dive into the rich tapestry of women's history through various online resources. Explore museums like the Smithsonian, organizations like StoryCorps, and history-based publishers such as The History Channel. These platforms offer a wealth of information on women inventors, leaders, and more.
More suggested 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
Celebrate and uplift women by supporting their businesses and careers. Shop online from platforms like Etsy, or use directories such as WBD and FoundedByHer to discover women-led enterprises. Amazon also offers a way to filter for women-owned retailers across various categories.
Supporting women in their professional growth is crucial. Organizations like SoundGirls provide networking opportunities for women in audio, fostering a supportive community. Sharing success stories and spreading the word about workshops and resources can significantly boost women in business.
Also see: 14 Great Women Comic Book Writers.
3. Watch Movies or Shows Featuring Women or Directed by Women
Explore Hulu's collection of shows and movies with Black female leads, or delve into Showtime's SHOWTIME WOMEN® network, which highlights unique and groundbreaking works by female talents.
Following the 2025 Oscars, catch up on acclaimed films like Anora, which won big with lead actress Mikey Madison. Our review praised Anora for its heartfelt and humorous exploration of life's complexities through the lens of sex work and class dynamics.
How to Watch Anora
What We Said in Our Anora Review:
Writer Lex Briscuso noted, "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."
7 Days Free### Hulu Free Trial
67See it at HuluHere are more ways to watch Anora.
Discover Women Directors
Celebrate women's roles behind the camera by watching acclaimed films like Barbie, American Psycho, and The Hurt Locker, all directed by women. Streaming services like Netflix make it easy to find movies directed by women.
Watch Women's Sports
Where to Buy Play It Forward
Don't overlook women's sports. Platforms like ESPNW cover major sports events, including NWSL, WNBA, and NCAAW. Justwomenssports.com is dedicated solely to women's sports. We also highlight Women of Wrestling (WOW), with whom we've partnered and interviewed at events like SDCC. Stream WOW here.
Women's sports are gaining popularity across soccer, basketball, wrestling, and more. Catch most 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
Immerse yourself in the diverse world of books authored by women. According to BookRiot, women have published over 50% of all books since 2020, contributing to a 12.3% year-on-year increase in the book industry's revenue, reaching $29.3 billion in 2021. This underscores the importance and popularity of diversifying the publishing industry.
Explore a variety of genres with these 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
5. Play and Discover Women-Led Games
Women have been instrumental in creating some of the most beloved games, from Portal to Celeste, Uncharted, and classic arcade games like Centipede. Games like Celeste have made significant cultural impacts, such as its recognition as one of the most important trans games.
Despite their contributions, women currently make up only about 22% of the video game industry. A 2017 snapshot of women in video game development remains relevant today, highlighting the experiences of 55 female and non-binary professionals.
Explore game lists featuring women creators on platforms like G2A, Microsoft, and others to discover games crafted by women.
6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women
Podcasts offer a diverse range of topics hosted by women. NY Public Radio's list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts covers everything from news to comedy and true crime. Here are some recommendations from IGN's podcast enthusiasts:
1. You're Wrong About
Sarah, a journalist, reconsiders people or events often misrepresented in the public eye. Listen on Apple.
2. Ladies & Tangents
Jeri and Ciara, best friends and cousins, share relatable conversations on companionship and human rights. Listen on Apple.
3. Scam Goddess
Laci Mosley explores historic scams and 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 the latest video game news and offer hands-on impressions. Listen on Apple.
6. My Favorite Murder
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host this original true crime comedy podcast, creating a community of "Murderinos." Listen on Apple.
7. This Ends At Prom
BJ and Harmony Colangelo explore the portrayal of womanhood in coming-of-age and teen girl movies from queer, feminist, and trans perspectives. Listen on Apple.
8. Girlfriend Material
Rosie Turner shares funny stories and moving moments in this "Gay-Z" podcast, 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 embarking on a self-care journey. Listen on Apple.
