At IGN, we celebrate the incredible women who shape our industry and the world—not just this March, but every month. Join us in recognizing and uplifting their voices. This is your guide to Women's History Month and how you can celebrate.

The History of Women's History Month

Women's History Month originated from a 1987 petition by the National Women’s History Project, aiming to honor women's contributions to the United States and their achievements across various fields. Interestingly, it started as "Women’s History Week" in 1982, expanding to a month-long national celebration in 1987. Since 1995, every U.S. President has issued a proclamation officially designating March as Women’s History Month.

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 Featuring Women or 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

Explore the incredible stories of women throughout history—inventors, leaders, and more. Excellent resources include museum websites like the Smithsonian, organizations such as StoryCorps, and reputable historical publishers like The History Channel.

Suggested Reads:

• How Women Taught Me to Love and Build Games
• 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 entrepreneurs across various fields! Shop online at Etsy, explore directories like WBD and FoundedByHer, or use Amazon's filter to find women-owned retailers. Beyond purchasing, actively support women's career growth. Organizations like SoundGirls provide networking and support for women in the audio industry, showcasing the power of community and mentorship.

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

Explore streaming services like Hulu (featuring shows and movies with Black female leads) and Showtime's SHOWTIME WOMEN®, showcasing female talent both in front of and behind the camera. Consider recent award-winning films like Anora, starring Mikey Madison.

Anora Review Excerpt: "Sean Baker’s hysterical and moving Anora...shows us what it means to be let down...In this frank exploration of sex work, class, and the promises we make and break, the director reaches our souls..." - Lex Briscuso

Beyond individual films, explore works by female directors such as Greta Gerwig (Barbie), Mary Harron (American Psycho), and Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker). Streaming services like Netflix offer curated collections.

Don't forget women's sports! ESPNW covers major leagues, while Just Women's Sports is a dedicated platform. We also recommend checking out WOW (Women of Wrestling).

4. Read Books Written by Women

Women authors now publish over 50% of all books! Explore diverse genres and authors. For a powerful start, consider this list of 10 books by Black women.

5. Play and Discover Women-Led Games

Many incredible games are created by women! From Portal and Celeste to the Uncharted series and Centipede, women have shaped gaming history. Explore game lists featuring women creators on sites like G2A and Microsoft.

6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women

Discover a vast world of podcasts hosted by women, covering news, history, comedy, and more. NY Public Radio offers a comprehensive list. Here are a few recommendations:

• You're Wrong About: Sarah investigates miscast historical figures and events.
• Ladies & Tangents: Jeri and Ciara discuss companionship, human rights, and more.
• Scam Goddess: Laci Mosley explores scams and "fun crime."
• Axe of the Blood God: Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen discuss RPGs.
• What's Good Games: Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña discuss video game news.
• My Favorite Murder: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark explore true crime.
• This Ends At Prom: BJ Colangelo and Harmony Colangelo analyze teen girl movies.
• Girlfriend Material: Rosie Turner shares funny stories and chats.
• A Little Queer: Capri and Ashley discuss queer culture and media.
• The Artist In Me Is Dead: Rhonda Willers explores creativity.
• Conversations With Moon Body Soul: Kaitee Tyner discusses holistic wellness.

Remember, celebrating women's contributions is a year-round endeavor. Let's continue to learn, celebrate, and elevate their voices.