Women's History

11 Activities To Celebrate Women's History Month (2023)

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Watch a documentary about women’s rights.

Who doesn’t love a good documentary? The diverse and expansive stories of women span all industries, continents, and experiences, but if you want to learn a bit more about gender inequality, check out some of these films:

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Read books about women’s rights.

Get your gender studies syllabus started with a few essential reads on women’s liberation. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • “Abolition. Feminism. Now.” by Angela Y. Davis, Gina Dent, Erica R. Meiners, and Beth Richie (Bookshop) (Amazon)
  • “Bad Feminist” by Roxane Gay (Bookshop) (Amazon)
  • “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf (Bookshop) (Amazon)
  • “Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics” by bell hooks (Bookshop) (Amazon)
  • “Know My Name: A Memoir” by Chanel Miller (Bookshop) (Amazon)
  • “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle (Bookshop) (Amazon)
  • “Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity” by Julia Serano (Bookshop) (Amazon)

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Add some new podcasts to your queue.

We know it seems like everybody has a podcast these days, but we promise: There are absolutely some gems you’re missing out on. If you’re looking for some new listening material this March, try these on for size:

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Learn some Women’s History Month stories.

Part of the importance of awareness holidays and history months like Women’s History Month is the preservation of milestones of women’s history that might otherwise be erased or forgotten. 

Unfortunately, some of those stories have already been lost to the annals of history (or been given a man’s name). Take some time to learn more about women in history you might not know. 

Some examples are Amelia Bloomer, a suffragist and editor who revolutionized women’s clothing to prioritize comfort; or Rosalind Franklin, who discovered the structure of DNA (and has been forgotten in history books, while her male peers get all the credit).

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Learn more about the history of women’s health.

Currently, so much of the injustice women face around the globe is associated with their access to healthcare and the right to their own bodies. Hauntingly, this battle has been waged for most of history, despite the cultural role many women play in raising families and having children. 

The history of American gynecology and obstetrics is truly disturbing and harmful, and while it’s certainly not the most fun way to celebrate Women’s History Month, it is vital information that informs how we confront the issues of the day. Consider reading “Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology” by Deirdre Cooper Owens to learn more.

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Explore the Library of Congress.

The national Women’s History Month website has a number of great resources, but one in particular worth visiting is the Library of Congress’s research guides. 

These guides offer a number of amazing materials on women’s history, including geography and map collections, manuscripts, recorded sound collections, and more. 

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Read good news about women.

Part of the fun of celebrating women also means celebrating good news about women. We’re all about good news at Good Good Good. A while back, we even made The Women Edition of our monthly Goodnewspaper — and we also have a whole library of good news stories about women to inspire you and help you learn something new. 

Support women-owned businesses.

According to the World Economic Forum, women started 49% of all new businesses in the U.S. in 2021, up 28% from just two years prior. It’s fair to say that more women are becoming entrepreneurs than ever before. However, around the globe, men still outnumber women three to one when it comes to business ownership.

That said, it’s always important to uplift and support women-run businesses and organizations in your community! Mindfully shop for goods you need, find a new women-owned restaurant to enjoy in your area, or start planning ahead with some holiday gift cards. 

Pro tip: Be especially thoughtful of being intersectional in your support, redistributing wealth to women in historically marginalized communities.

Explore our ultimate guide to ethical, sustainable, and do-good brands led by women.

 

The Best Nonprofits To Donate To — Women’s History MonthDo your part to support women and girls in your community by making a donation. Whether you want to find a specific organization that empowers young girls in STEM, or a local women’s health clinic, there is definitely a need, and you can definitely help fill it. 

Any amount you can give is meaningful, and if you can, setting up a recurring donation can make a huge impact, all while saving you time in the long run. While we highly recommend finding a small and local grassroots organization to support in your area, here are a few other organizations you can fund during Women’s History Month:

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Fight for reproductive freedom.

As access to reproductive healthcare is threatened and removed in states across the country, we all have a duty to stand up for the bodily autonomy and safety of all Americans. 

There are so many things we can all do. To get you started, check out our guide to protecting abortion and reproductive freedom.

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Do your part to change policy.

There are still countless, antiquated policies on local and national levels that harm women and girls. Whether it’s supporting women candidates, ensuring you’re registered to vote, contacting your representatives, protesting for change, or even staying up-to-date with local policy initiatives, it’s up to all of us to make this world safer and more welcoming to women of all backgrounds.

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