At IGN, we're thrilled to celebrate the incredible women who have shaped our history and industry. These women inspire, empower, and drive positive change not only during Women's History Month but throughout the entire year. Join us in learning about their stories, celebrating their achievements, and amplifying their voices. Here's a comprehensive guide to Women's History Month and some fantastic ways to celebrate it 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 honor the contributions women have made to the United States and acknowledge their specific achievements across various fields throughout American history.
Did you know that Women’s History Month started as “Women’s History Week” in 1982, observed during the week of March 7? It was expanded to 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
Discover the inspiring stories of women throughout history by exploring resources online. Start with museum archives like the Smithsonian, women-run organizations like StoryCorps, and reputable history-based publishers such as The History Channel.
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
Support women in business by shopping from women-owned enterprises. Platforms like Etsy, directories such as WBD and FoundedByHer, and Amazon's filter for women-owned retailers offer numerous opportunities to discover and support female entrepreneurs. Additionally, empowering women in their careers is vital. Organizations like SoundGirls provide networking and support for women in the audio industry, helping them to grow and succeed.
Also see: 14 Great Women Comic Book Writers.
3. Watch Movies or Shows Featuring Women or Directed by Women
Explore films and shows that highlight women's stories. Hulu features 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, don't miss out on watching Anora, a major winner featuring lead actress Mikey Madison.
Writer Lex Briscuso praised Sean Baker’s Anora, describing it as "hysterical and moving," offering a deep exploration of sex work, class, and broken promises through the lens of outcasts and outsiders.
7 Days Free### Hulu Free Trial
67See it at HuluHere are more ways to watch Anora.
Discover Women Directors
Celebrate films directed by women, including classics like Barbie, American Psycho, and The Hurt Locker. Streaming platforms like Netflix make it easy to find and watch these movies.
Watch Women's Sports
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
Dive into the rich world of literature by women authors. Since 2020, women have published over 50% of all books, boosting the industry with a 12.3% increase in 2021. Explore diverse genres and enrich your reading list with titles like 10 books by Black women.
Here are some top-rated books by women authors to get you started via 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 Amazon5. Play and Discover Women-Led Games
Explore the world of gaming with titles created by women. From Portal to Celeste, and from Uncharted to Centipede, these games showcase the talent of female creators. Celeste, in particular, has made a significant cultural impact as one of the most important trans games ever. You can purchase or download it on Nintendo.com for $19.99.Despite women making up only about 22% of the video game industry, their contributions are invaluable. Learn more from a 2017 snapshot of women in video game development, which remains relevant today.
You can find curated lists of games created by women on platforms like G2A and Microsoft.
6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women
Dive into the diverse world of podcasts hosted by women, covering genres from news and history to comedy and true crime. NY Public Radio offers a list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts available on platforms like Spotify, Apple, and Amazon. Here are some recommendations from IGN's podcast enthusiasts:
1. You're Wrong About
Sarah, a journalist obsessed with the past, reconsiders misunderstood historical events and figures on You're Wrong About. Listen on Apple.
2. Ladies & Tangents
Jeri and Ciara, besties and cousins, share relatable conversations about companionship and human rights on Ladies & Tangents. Listen on Apple.
3. Scam Goddess
Laci Mosley discusses the latest scams and historic hoodwinks with comedians on Scam Goddess, offering true fun crime. Listen on Apple.
4. Axe of the Blood God
RPG fans can join Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen as they explore Final Fantasy, Skyrim, and more on Axe of the Blood God. Listen on Apple.
5. What's Good Games
Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña analyze video game news and share impressions of upcoming titles on What's Good Games. Listen on Apple.
6. My Favorite Murder
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host the original hit true crime comedy podcast, My Favorite Murder. Join the "Murderinos" fan club. Listen on Apple.
7. This Ends At Prom
BJ Colangelo and Harmony Colangelo analyze coming-of-age and teen girl movies from queer, feminist, cisgender, and trans perspectives on This Ends at Prom. Listen on Apple.
8. Girlfriend Material
Rosie Turner shares funny stories and moving moments on the "Gay-Z" podcast, Girlfriend Material, welcoming listeners at any stage of their LGBTQ+ journey. Listen on Apple.
9. A Little Queer
Capri and Ashley dive into queer culture, advice, and media on A Little Queer, 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 on The Artist In Me Is Dead. Listen on Apple.
11. Conversations With Moon Body Soul
Kaitee Tyner, host and owner of Moon Body Soul, discusses holistic wellness and self-care on Conversations With Moon Body Soul. Listen on Apple.
