8 Ways to Honor Women's History Month Now

At IGN, we're thrilled to honor and celebrate the remarkable women who have shaped history and continue to drive positive change within our industry. Their contributions as creators, inspirations, and advocates deserve recognition not just during Women's History Month, but every day. We invite you to join us in this ongoing journey of learning, celebrating, and amplifying women's voices. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding Women's History Month and engaging in meaningful 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 significant contributions women have made to the United States and acknowledge their specific achievements across various fields throughout American history.

It's interesting to note that Women’s History Month started as "Women’s History Week" in 1982, during the week of March 7. It was not until 1987 that it expanded into a month-long national celebration. 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

1. Learn About Women in History and Share Their Stories
2. Support Women-Owned Businesses and Professionals
3. Watch Movies or Shows Directed by Women
4. Read Books Written by Women Authors
5. Play Games Created by Women
6. Listen to Podcasts Featuring Women
7. Volunteer at Women-Based Organizations
8. Donate to Programs and Organizations Uplifting Women

1. Learn About Women in History and Share Their Stories

Dive into the fascinating narratives of women in history through various online resources. Begin your journey with museums and their digital archives like the Smithsonian, organizations led by women such as StoryCorps, and reputable history-based publishers like 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

Empower women in business by shopping from women-owned enterprises. Utilize online platforms like Etsy and directories such as WBD or FoundedByHer to discover talented entrepreneurs. Amazon also offers a filter to shop from women-owned retailers across various categories.

In addition to purchasing from women business owners, championing their career growth is crucial. Organizations like SoundGirls provide networking and support specifically for women in the audio industry. Sharing success stories and supporting initiatives that offer workshops and networking opportunities can significantly uplift 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 curated collection of shows and movies with Black female leads, or check out SHOWTIME WOMEN®, which highlights films, documentaries, and shorts by female talents.

Following the 2025 Oscars, don't miss out on watching hit films like Anora, where lead actress and Oscar winner Mikey Madison shines.

How to Watch Anora

What We Said in Our Anora Review:

Writer Lex Briscuso praised, "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 Hulu

For more ways to watch Anora, explore the available options.

Discover Women Directors

Celebrate films directed by women, including hits like Barbie, American Psycho, and The Hurt Locker. Streaming platforms like Netflix make it easy to find and enjoy these works.

Watch Women's Sports

Where to Buy Play It Forward

Don't overlook women's sports. From major events covered by ESPNW in the NWSL, WNBA, NCAAW, to dedicated sites like justwomenssports.com, there's ample opportunity to engage. We also celebrate our partnership with WOW (Women of Wrestling) and encourage you to find out where to stream their events.

With the rising popularity of women's sports across soccer, basketball, and wrestling, stream 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 across all genres. According to BookRiot, women have published more than 50% of all books since 2020, contributing to a significant boost in the publishing industry. This growth underscores the importance and popularity of diversifying the literary landscape.

For a powerful and educational reading experience, consider adding these 10 books by Black women to your 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 talented women creators, developers, directors, designers, and writers. From Portal to Celeste, Uncharted, and the classic arcade game Centipede, women have left an indelible mark on gaming. Games like Celeste have made significant cultural impacts, notably as one of the most important trans games ever. (You can purchase or download Celeste for $19.99 on Nintendo.com if you haven't yet.)

Despite women currently making up only about 22% of the video game industry, their influence is profound. Explore what 55 female and non-binary game development professionals had to say about their experiences in the 2017 Snapshot of Women in Video Game Development.

You can find game lists featuring women creators on platforms like G2A, and curated lists from Microsoft showcasing games created and curated by women.

6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women

There’s a vast array of podcasts hosted by women covering topics from news and history to comedy, pop culture, and true crime. NY Public Radio has compiled a list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts, available on platforms like Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and more. Here are some recommendations from IGN’s podcast enthusiasts (in no particular order):

1. You're Wrong About

In You're Wrong About, Sarah, a journalist passionate about the past, reconsiders people or events that have been misconstrued in the public eye. Listen on Apple.

2. Ladies & Tangents

For those who enjoy staying in but still want to feel connected, the Ladies & Tangents podcast offers relatable discussions on companionship and human rights, hosted by best friends and cousins Jeri and Ciara. Listen on Apple.

3. Scam Goddess

Laci Mosley hosts Scam Goddess, keeping you updated on the latest scams and exploring historic hoodwinks with comedians, offering true fun crime without the grimness of death. Listen on Apple.

4. Axe of the Blood God

RPG enthusiasts can join Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen on Axe of the Blood God as they delve into classics like Final Fantasy and Skyrim. Listen on Apple.

5. What's Good Games

Gamers will appreciate What's Good Games, where Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña discuss the latest video game news and provide hands-on impressions of upcoming titles. Listen on Apple.

6. My Favorite Murder

The original true crime comedy podcast, My Favorite Murder, is hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, inviting you to join their "Murderinos" fan club. Listen on Apple.

7. This Ends At Prom

This weekly podcast analyzes the portrayal of womanhood in coming-of-age and teen girl movies from queer, feminist, cisgender, and trans perspectives, hosted by wives BJ Colangelo and Harmony Colangelo. Listen on Apple.

8. Girlfriend Material

Rosie Turner's "Gay-Z" podcast, Girlfriend Material, offers humorous stories, engaging discussions, and heartfelt moments, suitable for everyone on their LGBTQ+ journey. Listen on Apple.

9. A Little Queer

Dive into queer culture, advice, and media with Capri and Ashley on the A Little Queer podcast. Listen on Apple.

10. The Artist In Me Is Dead

Explore creativity with Rhonda Willers on The Artist In Me Is Dead, where she and her guests discuss reviving dormant creativity and what inspires it. Listen on Apple.

11. Conversations With Moon Body Soul

Join Kaitee Tyner, host and owner of Moon Body Soul, in conversations about holistic wellness and self-care inspiration. Listen on Apple.