At IGN, we're thrilled to honor the incredible women who have shaped our history and industry. These trailblazers create, inspire, empower, and drive positive change not just during Women's History Month, but every day. We invite 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 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 contributions of women 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, during the week of March 7? It wasn't 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.
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 stories in history available online, from inventors to leaders. Start your journey at museums and their website archives like Smithsonian, organizations like StoryCorps, and trusted 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 artists, streamers, and more. Explore online platforms like Etsy, and directories such as WBD or FoundedByHer. Amazon also offers a filter to shop women-owned retailers across various categories.
Supporting women's career growth is crucial. Organizations like SoundGirls provide networking opportunities for women in the audio industry. Sharing success stories and promoting organizations that offer workshops and resources 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
Start with Hulu's collection of shows and movies featuring Black female leads, or explore SHOWTIME WOMEN®, which celebrates women in front of and behind the camera.
Following the 2025 Oscars, catch up on hit films like Anora, where lead actress Mikey Madison won an Oscar.
How to Watch Anora
What We Said in Our Anora Review
Writer Lex Briscuso praised Anora, saying, "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
Here are more ways to watch Anora.
Discover Women Directors
Celebrate women-led roles and actresses by watching legendary films like Barbie, American Psycho, and The Hurt Locker, all directed by women. Streaming sites like Netflix make it easy to find movies directed by women.
Watch Women's Sports
Where to Buy Play It Forward
Don't miss out on women's sports. From ESPNW covering major sports like NWSL, WNBA, and NCAAW, to dedicated sites like justwomenssports.com, there's plenty to watch. We also highlight WOW (Women of Wrestling), with whom we've partnered and interviewed at events like SDCC. Find out where to stream WOW here.
Women's sports are gaining popularity across soccer, basketball, wrestling, and more. 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
Explore the vast array of books written by women across all genres. According to BookRiot, women have published more than 50% of all books since 2020, contributing to a 12.3% increase in the book industry's revenue in 2021, reaching $29.3 billion. Diversifying the publishing industry is not only equitable but also popular.
For an educational read, consider 10 books by Black women to add 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 wonderful games are women creators, developers, directors, designers, writers, and more. From Portal to Celeste, Uncharted, and the classic arcade game Centipede, women have brought us brilliant games. Celeste, for example, has made a significant cultural impact as one of the most important trans games ever. You can get it or download it here on Nintendo.com for $19.99.Despite women currently making up only about 22% of the video game industry, their impact is undeniable. Learn more from a 2017 snapshot of women in video game development, which remains relevant today.
Explore game lists featuring women creators on sites like G2A, and Microsoft's curated lists of games created and curated by women.
6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women
Whether you're into news, history, comedy, pop culture, or criminal storytelling, there's a podcast for you. NY Public Radio has compiled a list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts available on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and more. Here are some recommendations from IGN's podcast enthusiasts:
1. You're Wrong About
In You're Wrong About, Sarah, a journalist obsessed with the past, reconsiders a person or event that's been miscast in the public imagination. Listen on Apple.
2. Ladies & Tangents
If you enjoy staying in but want to feel connected, the Ladies & Tangents podcast, hosted by besties and cousins Jeri and Ciara, offers relatable conversations about companionship and human rights. Listen on Apple.
3. Scam Goddess
Laci Mosley's Scam Goddess keeps you updated on the latest scams and breaks down historic hoodwinks with comedians. It's true crime without the death—true fun crime! Listen on Apple.
4. Axe of the Blood God
RPG gaming fans can join Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen as they explore Final Fantasy, Skyrim, and more in Axe of the Blood God. Listen on Apple.
5. What's Good Games
For gaming fans, Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña analyze the latest video game news and provide hands-on impressions of upcoming titles on What's Good Games. Listen on Apple.
6. My Favorite Murder
My Favorite Murder, hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, is the original hit true crime comedy podcast. Join the "Murderinos" fan club. Listen on Apple.
7. This Ends At Prom
This Ends at Prom analyzes the staying power 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, features funny stories, cheeky chats, and moving moments 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 A Little Queer. Listen on Apple.
10. The Artist In Me Is Dead
Explore creativity with host Rhonda Willers on The Artist In Me Is Dead, where she discusses how to nurture your dormant creativity back to life. Listen on Apple.
11. Conversations With Moon Body Soul
Join Kaitee Tyner, host and owner of Moon Body Soul, as she discusses holistic wellness and self-care inspiration. Listen on Apple.
