8 Immediate Ways to Honor Women's History Month

At IGN, we are thrilled to celebrate the incredible women who have shaped our history and continue to influence our industry. These women create, inspire, empower, and drive positive change not only during Women's History Month but every month. We invite you to join us in learning more, celebrating their achievements, and amplifying women’s voices. Here’s a comprehensive guide on Women's History Month and exciting 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, aimed at celebrating the significant contributions women have made to the United States and acknowledging their achievements across various fields throughout American history.

Originally, the celebration started as "Women’s History Week" during the week of March 7 in 1982. It wasn't until 1987 that this initiative expanded into a month-long national celebration. Since then, every President since 1995 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 contributions by exploring their stories online. From inventors to leaders, resources like the Smithsonian, StoryCorps, and The History Channel provide excellent starting points for your journey into women's history.

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

Supporting women in business is crucial. From artists to streamers, you can make a difference by shopping on platforms like Etsy, using directories such as WBD and FoundedByHer, or even filtering on Amazon to shop from women-owned retailers across various categories.

Beyond purchasing, supporting women's career growth is vital. Organizations like SoundGirls provide networking opportunities for women in the audio industry, helping to create a robust support network. Sharing success stories and promoting these organizations can significantly contribute to uplifting women in business.

Also see: 14 Great Women Comic Book Writers.

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

If you're looking for where to start, Hulu offers a collection of shows and movies with Black female leads, while Showtime's SHOWTIME WOMEN® network highlights unique and groundbreaking content created by women. Following the 2025 Oscars, catch up on hits like "Anora," which won big and features the talented Mikey Madison.

How to Watch Anora

What We Said in Our Anora Review

Writer Lex Briscuso praised "Anora" as a "hysterical and moving" film that showcases the lead character’s purity of heart, offering a frank exploration of sex work, class, and broken promises.

7 Days Free### Hulu Free Trial

67See it at Hulu

Here are more ways to watch "Anora."

Discover Women Directors

Celebrate films directed by women, such as "Barbie," "American Psycho," and "The Hurt Locker." Streaming platforms like Netflix make it easy to find and watch these films.

Watch Women's Sports

Where to Buy Play It Forward

Don't miss out on women's sports, which are gaining popularity. From ESPNW's coverage of the NWSL, WNBA, NCAAW, and beyond, to dedicated sites like justwomenssports.com, there's no shortage of action. We also celebrate our partnership with WOW (Women of Wrestling), which you can stream here.

### ESPN+

10Sign up for a standalone ESPN+ subscription or as part of the Disney Bundle that includes the trio of Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu. See it at ESPN+

4. Read Books Written by Women

With women now publishing over 50% of all books since 2020, there's no shortage of incredible reads across all genres. The book industry has seen a significant boost, with a 12.3% increase in 2021, highlighting the positive impact of diversifying the industry.

Explore a diverse range of books by women authors. For an educational journey, consider adding 10 books by Black women to your reading list.

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 Amazon

5. Play and Discover Women-Led Games

Behind many beloved games are women creators, developers, directors, designers, and writers. From "Portal" to "Celeste," and the "Uncharted" series to "Centipede," women have played pivotal roles in shaping the gaming world. Notably, "Celeste" has made a significant cultural impact as one of the most important trans games ever.

Despite women making up only about 22% of the video game industry, their contributions are immense. Explore game lists featuring women creators on platforms like G2A and Microsoft's curated lists to discover more.

6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women

From news and history to comedy and true crime, there are numerous podcasts hosted by women. NY Public Radio offers a list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts across various genres. Here are some recommendations from IGN's podcast enthusiasts:

1. You're Wrong About

Sarah, a journalist, reconsiders a person or event that's been miscast in the public imagination. Listen on Apple.

2. Ladies & Tangents

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

3. Scam Goddess

Laci Mosley breaks down historic hoodwinks with comedians, offering true fun crime. Listen on Apple.

4. Axe of the Blood God

Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen explore the world of role-playing games. Listen on Apple.

5. What's Good Games

Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña analyze video game news and upcoming titles. Listen on Apple.

6. My Favorite Murder

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host this original hit true crime comedy podcast. Listen on Apple.

7. This Ends At Prom

BJ Colangelo and Harmony Colangelo analyze teen girl movies from queer, feminist, and trans perspectives. Listen on Apple.

8. Girlfriend Material

Rosie Turner shares funny stories and moving moments on this "Gay-Z" podcast. Listen on Apple.

9. A Little Queer

Capri and Ashley dive into queer culture, advice, and media. Listen on Apple.

10. The Artist In Me Is Dead

Rhonda Willers explores creativity and how to nurture it back to life. Listen on Apple.

11. Conversations With Moon Body Soul

Kaitee Tyner discusses holistic wellness and self-care. Listen on Apple.