At IGN, we're thrilled to honor and celebrate the incredible women who shape our history and industry. These trailblazers inspire, empower, and drive positive change not just during Women's History Month, but all year round. Join us as we continue to learn, celebrate, and amplify women's voices. Here's everything you need to know about Women's History Month and some fantastic 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, aimed at celebrating the contributions of women to the United States and recognizing 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 evolved into a month-long celebration in 1987. 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

Explore the rich tapestry of women's stories in history through online resources, museums, and their archives. Start with the Smithsonian, StoryCorps, and 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 on platforms like Etsy, and exploring directories such as WBD, FoundedByHer, and even filtering for women-owned retailers on Amazon.

Additionally, supporting women's career growth is crucial. Organizations like SoundGirls provide networking and support for women in the audio industry.

Also see: 14 Great Women Comic Book Writers.

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

Dive into Hulu's collection of shows and movies with 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," featuring the Oscar-winning lead actress Mikey Madison.

How to Watch Anora

What We Said in Our Anora Review

Writer Lex Briscuso praised "Anora" as a moving and humorous exploration of sex work, class, and broken promises, showcasing the purity of its lead character's heart.

7 Days Free### Hulu Free Trial

67See it at Hulu

Here are more ways to watch Anora.

Discover Women Directors

Celebrate films directed by women, such as "Barbie," "American Psycho," and "The Hurt Locker." Platforms like Netflix make it easy to find movies directed by women.

Watch Women's Sports

Where to Buy Play It Forward

Stay updated with women's sports through ESPNW, covering major leagues like NWSL, WNBA, and NCAAW. Check out justwomenssports.com for more dedicated coverage. Don't miss out on Women of Wrestling (WOW), which IGN has partnered with and covered at events like SDCC.

Stream most major women's sports 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

Dive into the diverse world of books written by women across various genres. According to BookRiot, women have published over 50% of all books since 2020, contributing to a thriving book industry.

For a powerful educational list, check out 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 beloved games are talented women creators, developers, directors, designers, and writers. From "Portal" to "Celeste," "Uncharted," and "Centipede," women have left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. "Celeste" stands out as a culturally significant game, particularly in its portrayal of trans experiences.

Despite women making up only about 22% of the video game industry, their impact is profound. Explore game lists featuring women creators on G2A and curated lists from Microsoft.

6. Listen to Podcasts Hosted by Women

Explore a wide range of podcasts hosted by women, covering topics from news and history to comedy and true crime. NY Public Radio offers a list of over 100 women-hosted podcasts to explore on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or your preferred platform.

From IGN's own podcast enthusiasts, here are some recommendations (in no particular order):

1. You're Wrong About

Sarah, a journalist obsessed with the past, reconsiders public perceptions of historical figures and events. Listen on Apple.

2. Ladies & Tangents

Jeri and Ciara, best friends and cousins, offer relatable conversations on companionship and human rights. Listen on Apple.

3. Scam Goddess

Laci Mosley breaks down historic scams and hoodwinks with comedians, delivering true fun crime. Listen on Apple.

4. Axe of the Blood God

Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen dive into the world of RPGs, from Final Fantasy to Skyrim. Listen on Apple.

5. What's Good Games

Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Riana Manuel-Peña analyze the latest video game news and provide hands-on impressions. Listen on Apple.

6. My Favorite Murder

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark host this original true crime comedy podcast, beloved by "Murderinos." Listen on Apple.

7. This Ends at Prom

BJ and Harmony Colangelo explore the portrayal of womanhood in coming-of-age and teen girl movies from queer, feminist, and trans perspectives. Listen on Apple.

8. Girlfriend Material

Rosie Turner shares funny stories, cheeky chats, and moving moments in this "Gay-Z" podcast, welcoming listeners at any stage of their LGBTQ+ journey. Listen on Apple.

9. A Little Queer

Capri and Ashley delve into queer culture, advice, and media, becoming your new BFFs. Listen on Apple.

10. The Artist In Me Is Dead

Rhonda Willers explores creativity and how people tap into it, questioning if the artist within is truly dead or just dormant. Listen on Apple.

11. Conversations With Moon Body Soul

Kaitee Tyner discusses holistic wellness topics, perfect for those embarking on a self-care journey. Listen on Apple.