To us, every month is Women's History Month. But we welcome the pause in March to really put our time and effort into advocating for and celebrating women.
For some, it's a time for protest; to others, it's a time of celebration. To us, Women's History Month is an amalgamation of both: a period for real, tangible activism and allyship, as well as a fun moment to toss a little confetti, put on some red lipstick, crank up the Lizzo and rejoice in all of the incredible accomplishments of women around the world. (These Women's History Month quotes will definitely get you inspired, so check them out.)
Of course, those achievements cannot be contained in one dedicated month or one solitary day. Instead, we carry the history of all the women who came before us always and work to make them and those that will follow proud.
So whether you want to shop at fashion brands founded by women, host a movie night spotlighting women directors like Chloé Zhao and Jane Campion or gift some self-care to those who are closest to you, here are 10 great ways to honor women this year for Women's History Month, Women's Equality Day or any normal weekday.
What is Women's History Month?
Women’s History Month in the US takes place in March and is dedicated to "commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history."
From Susan B. Anthony to Rosa Parks, important figures in women's history are woven tightly with our nation's history, and they were a spark plug for many civil rights movements across the country.
What is Women's Equality Day?
Held in the US on August 26, Women's Equality Day commemorates the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, which grants women the right to vote and prohibits both state and federal governments from denying the right to vote to US citizens on the basis of sex.
Great ways to celebrate Women's History Month:
1. Dive into the history of women's rights
March marks Women's History Month in the US, and its origins fittingly are rooted in education: in 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women first organized a local Women's History Week program with the goal of “writing women back into history.”
Honor those origins by giving yourself a crash course through eye-opening resources like the digital archives and exhibits at the National Women's History Museum, which features biographies, photos, drawings and more of both historical and contemporary women pioneers, from abolitionist Harriet Tubman to the women of NASA.
2. Shop at women-fronted brands
Let's be real, we're always stocking up on new skincare products, fashion pieces and home goods anyway. So shopping female-fronted brands is a smooth and seamless way of celebrating Women's History Month while giving your clothes closet, beauty vanity and the rest of your home a stylish boost. It's truly a win-win! Here are some of our favorites:
3. Amplify your bi, lesbian and trans sisters
Let's remember, Women's History Month is for all women. Take the month as an opportunity to actively listen to and advocate for lesbian, bisexual and trans women—women who historically have been silenced due to social stigma and daily discrimination.
And while you're at it, seek out resources and organizations like the Trans Women of Color Collective, Incite!, The Trevor Project, For the Gworls, the Bisexual Resource Center, the Black Trans Travel Fund and more to see how you can better support your LGBTQ+ siblings.
4. Study up on legislation that affects women
From period poverty to maternal mortality, the gender pay gap to mental health issues, if you're not super well-versed in a particular issue that's currently affecting women, now's your chance to learn and take a stand.
Read up on current legislation pertaining to issues like healthcare access, hair discrimination and more. Once you've pored over the pages, put your newfound knowledge to the test by calling your reps and demanding change!
5. Donate to women-focused causes
Find a female-focused cause that you're interested in and throw some much-welcome funds behind them. Passionate about healthcare? Check out the Black Women's Health Imperative. Want to boost tech education for young women? Girls Who Code is for you. Looking to support women suffering from the aftereffects of war and civil strife? Women for Women International provides practical and moral support to female survivors of war.
6. Watch shows and movies created by women
There's been plenty of spotlight on female directors—three woman-directed films were up for Best Picture last year at the Oscars, the most ever in the category, and Chloé Zhao's Nomadland ended up taking the top honors.
Unfortunately, women directors were not nominated in 2023, despite the previous two years being so successful for them. Regardless, you can cheer on your favorite female actors by figuring out where the Oscar movies are streaming and having a movie night.
7. Add women authors to your reading list
Looking for your next page-turner? Women authors wrote some seriously great reads in the past year, so give your weekly Zoom book club an upgrade with some of our favorite recent female-penned titles.
We recommend All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir, Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez and Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark.
8. Volunteer your time at a women's shelter
Whether it's preparing dinners, helping with laundry, organizing donated items or providing childcare, there are numerous volunteer opportunities to offer physical support to your local women's shelters and clinics.
9. Dive into documentaries of famous women
Have yourself an at-home documentary festival by watching docs centered on trailblazing women.
Some of our favorite female-centered docs? RBG; What Happened, Miss Simone?; Gloria: In Her Own Words; Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold; Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise; Chisholm ’72: Unbought & Unbossed; and Varda by Agnès all make for inspirational viewings.
10. Schedule a self-care sesh for you or a friend
Dismantling the patriarchy and advocating for women's equality is hard work, and we consider self-care a radical way to get recharged and rejuvenated for the fight ahead. Gift yourself a self-care day by scheduling a long, luxurious bath (break out those bath bombs!) or a deep journaling session, doing a homemade face mask, or picking up a bouquet of flowers to freshen your space.
Have a look at the best self-care day practices if you need a little more inspiration. And, according to sexual wellness trailblazers, now is the perfect time to celebrate womanhood and self-love. Steamy Lit, a self-care box equipped with good reads, candles and sex toys is the perfect gift to consider this March...or whenever, really!
"It is such an empowering thing to see through the pages of these books that you are worthy and deserving of love," the brand's founder Melissa Saavedra told us. "No matter who you are, where you're from, what color your skin is, or what your background or sexual preference is, you deserve to read a story about someone like you."
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