Women's History Month 2023 Theme: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories

2024 Women's History Month Theme:

Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We Should All Be Feminists | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

"Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie a renowned Nigerian novelist was born in Nigeria in 1977. She grew up in the university town of Nsukka, Enugu State where she attended primary and secondary schools, and briefly studied Medicine and Pharmacy. She then moved to the United States to attend college, graduating summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a major in Communication and a minor in Political Science. She holds a Masters degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins and a Masters degree in African Studies from Yale University. She was a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellow at Princeton, where she taught introductory fiction. She was named one of the twenty most important fiction writers today under 40 years old by The New Yorker and was recently the guest speaker at the 2012 annual commonwealth lecture. She featured in the April 2012 edition of Time Magazine, celebrated as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World."

Institutions with Women's History Month Resources

National Park Service
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site:
"The only National Historic Site dedicated to a First Lady. Get to know Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady of the United States, activist, and one of the most influential leaders of the twentieth century. As wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she played a key role in leading the nation through two national crises, the Great Depression and World War II. Through her activism and post-war diplomacy, she played a key role in the development of civil and human rights for all people."
National Museum of Women in the Arts
"The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts."
Explore their digital collection of over 200 pieces of art, as well as their online exhibitions.
American Women’s History Museum
"Decades in the making, the Smithsonian is building the American Women’s History Museum in our nation’s capital. The museum will recognize women’s accomplishments, the history they made, and the communities they represent."
Check out the "Because of HERstory" online exhibitions from other Smithsonian institutions focused on women's history and art that are featured on the museum website.
The Library of Congress
American Women: A Guide to Women's History Resources at the Library of Congress
"Scholarship in women’s history, gender history, women’s studies, and related fields is essential to how we understand American history."
Explore the Library of Congress's collection of photographs, manuscripts, government documents, audio recordings, and much more that help highlight the history of women in the United States!
National Geographic Magazine
Women's History Month Resource Library:
"From the laboratory to the classroom, from outer space to the ballot box, women around the world have been making history since before ancient times. Explore the stories of American abolitionists Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, learn how women around the world have fought for their right to vote, and join in the research of modern female explorers like Hayat Sindi and Asha de Vos as they help us understand our weird and wonderful world."
Smithsonian Magazine
"The Smithsonian's American Women’s History Initiative is a comprehensive undertaking that documents, researches, collects, displays and shares the rich and compelling story of women in the United States. In celebration of the AWHI, Smithsonian magazine has collected representative examples of its coverage of diverse women throughout American history."

"A Seat at the Table" Isn't the Solution for Gender Equity | Lilly Singh

"Women and girls are conditioned to believe success is "a seat at the table." Creator, actress and author @LillySingh thinks we need to build a better table. In this hilarious, incisive talk, Singh traces the arc of her career from up-and-coming YouTuber to history-making late-night talk show host, offering four ways to build a more inclusive society where girls are encouraged and empowered to do great things."

Podcasts to Check Out!

The Profess-Hers Podcast (Misty Wilson-Mehrtens and Allegra Davis Hanna) Explore some favorite shows or movies through a female and feminist perspective. Learn about new books or ideas that succeed in realistically portraying women. Find out what was right and what was so wrong about Friends. Hear about some of our favorite ladies, important historical moments, and lady anthems. We take the subject very seriously and ourselves not at all. Hosted by two college faculty members, Misty Wilson-Mehrtens and Allegra Davis Hanna.
The History Chicks (Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider) Two women. Half the population. Several thousand years of history. About an hour.
Stuff Mom Never Told You (Samantha McVey and Anney Reese) Join hosts Anney and Samantha to listen to Stuff Mom Never Told You, continuing the conversation of what it is to identify as female through research-based discussion around feminism and how it impacts everyday life.
What'sHerName (Dr. Katie Nelson and Olivia Meikle) What’sHerName women’s history podcast is hosted and produced by academic sisters Olivia Meikle and Katie Nelson. Committed to reclaiming forgotten history, What’sHerName tells the stories of fascinating women you’ve never heard of (but should have). Through compelling interviews with guest historians, writers, and scholars, Katie and Olivia bring to life the “lost” women of history. Fascinating and funny, thought-provoking and thoughtful, What’sHerName restores women’s voices to the conversation. New episodes every two weeks.
Ordinary Equality (Jamia Wilson and Kate Kelly) The Supreme Court has done the unimaginable, repealing the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and stripping Americans of a fundamental right: abortion access. On the latest season of Ordinary Equality, hosts Kate Kelly and Jamia Wilson ask: what now? What does resisting bans and seeking care look like in a world without federal protection of abortion access? How can we build community and support the most vulnerable? How are abortion providers in states where abortion was already severely restricted working around the system? Join us as we decipher the future of abortion access and explore the stories of survival and resistance in a post-Roe world.
Womanica (Jenny Kaplan) Thinking back to our history classes growing up, we had one question: Where the ladies at? Enter, Womanica. In just 5 minutes a day, learn about different incredible women from throughout history. On Wonder Media Network’s award-winning podcast, we’re telling the stories of women you may or may not know — but definitely should.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls (Rebel Girls) A fairy tale podcast for kids about real life extraordinary women from all over the world. Based on the bestselling series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, each episode explores the lives of women from the books, encouraging young listeners to ask questions and explore their interests.
That's What She Did Podcast (Tangia Renee) A podcast about the womxn leaders, innovators & rebels you probably don't already know. With her trademark sassy style and a dose of insight, Tangia Renee brings you womxn of impact to discuss why they do what they do and all the ways they are changing the world. With a focus on womxn of color, we curate the stories of brilliant womxn.
Friends Like Us (Marina Franklin) A podcast featuring women of color with different views on topics hosted by Marina Franklin.
Hysteria (Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco) Political commentator and comedy writer Erin Ryan and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by a bicoastal squad of funny, opinionated women to talk through everything from reproductive rights to romcoms. They break down the political news of the week, plus the topics, trends, and cultural stories that affect women’s lives.

Women's History Month Media

Movies, TV Series, & Documentaries

Click on any of the links to visit that title's IMDb page!

Documentaries

Becoming (Nadia Hallgren) — Netflix

Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (Beyoncé & Ed Burke) — Netflix

RBG (Julie Cohen & Betsy West) — Hulu

9to5: The Story of a Movement (Steven Bognar & Julia Reichert) — Netflix

Feminists: What Were They Thinking (Johanna Demetrakas) — Netflix

Reversing Roe (Ricki Stern & Anne Sundberg) — Netflix

This Changes Everything (Tom Donahue) — Netflix

What Happened, Miss Simone? (Liz Garbus) — Netflix

Knock Down the House (Rachel Lears) — Netflix

Jane (Brett Morgan) — Disney+

Gloria: In Her Own Words (Peter W. Kunhardt) — HBO Max

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (Timothy Greenfield-Sanders) — Prime Video

Honeyland (Tamara Kotevska & Ljubomir Stefanov) — HBO Max

Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed (Shola Lynch) — Prime Video

Being Serena (Serena Williams) — HBO Max

I Am Greta (Nathan Grossman) — Hulu

Grey Gardens (Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles, & David Maysles) — HBO Max

Movies

Erin Brockovich (Steven Soderbergh) — Prime Video

Hidden Figures (Theordore Melfi) — Disney+

The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Lee Daniels) — Hulu

9 to 5 (Colin Higgins) — HBO Max

Queen of Katwe (Mira Nair) — Disney+

She's Gotta Have It (Spike Lee) — Netflix

She Said (Maria Schrader) — Peacock

Frida (Julie Taymor) — HBO Max

Nomadland (Chloé Zhao) — Hulu

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (George C. Wolfe) — HBO Max

Yentl (Barbra Streisand) — HBO Max

Thelma and Louise (Ridley Scott) — Prime Video

The Sound of Music (Robert Wise) — Disney+

Respect (Liesl Tommy) — Prime Video

Wonder Woman (Patty Jenkins) — HBO Max

Captain Marvel (Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck) — Disney+

Mudbound (Dee Rees) — Netflix

Set It Off (F. Gary Gray) — HBO Max

Pride & Prejudice (Joe Wright) — Peacock

First Wives Club (Hugh Wilson) — HBO Max

Clueless (Amy Heckerling) — Paramount+

The Color Purple (Steven Spielberg) — HBO Max

Real Women Have Curves (Patricia Cardoso) — HBO Max

Television Series

Mrs. America (Dahvi Waller) — Hulu

Little Fires Everywhere (Liz Tigelaar) — Hulu

The Handmaid's Tale (Bruce Miller) — Hulu

Broad City (Ilana Glazer & Abbi Jacobson) — Hulu

The Wilds (Sarah Streicher) — Prime Video

Shrill (Aidy Bryant, Alexandra Rushfield, & Lindy West) — Hulu

Good Girls Revolt (Dana Calvo) — Prime Video

Big Little Lies (David E. Kelley) — HBO Max

Gilmore Girls (Amy Sherman-Palladino) — Netflix

Maid (Molly Smith Metzler) — Netflix

Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) — Prime Video

The Golden Girls (Susan Harris) — Hulu

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amy Sherman-Palladino) — Prime Video

Unbelievable (Susannah Grant) — Netflix

Grace and Frankie (Marta Kauffman & Howard J. Morris) — Netflix

Killing Eve (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) — Hulu

The Morning Show (Jay Carson & Kerry Erhin) — AppleTV+

Insecure (Issa Rae) — HBO Max

I May Destroy You (Michaela Coel) — HBO Max

Many popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video, have collections of curated media to help users celebrate female storytellers. Check out each of the streaming platforms for more media recognizing women's voices this Women's History Month!

Actress Roundtable (2024) | The Hollywood Reporter

Annette Bening ('Nyad'), Carey Mulligan ('Maestro'), Emma Stone ('Poor Things'), Greta Lee ('Past Lives'), Lily Gladstone ('Killers of the Flower Moon') and Margot Robbie ('Barbie') join THR in Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter. The stars talk about how their families react to their work and getting comfortable on a set. Plus, Margot Robbie shares how she was able to pitch 'Barbie' to Warner Bros. and Mattel in this updated roundtable format hosted by Yvonne Orji.

Women's History Month Reading Lists

Additional Resources!

Women in Exploration (Amanda Fornal)
"Women in Exploration’s mission is to promote the positive impacts that women have made in scientific exploration, field research, cultural learning, sustainability, and animal welfare."
Women & the American Story (New York Historical Society: Museum & Library)
"Free curriculum website from the New-York Historical Society. WAMS connects educators with classroom resources that illuminate diverse women’s contributions to the American past."
Women in Congress (History, Art, & Archives: U.S. house of Representatives
"Since 1917, when Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman to serve in Congress, a total of 423 women have served as U.S. Representatives, Delegates, Resident Commissioners, or Senators. This website, based on the publication Women in Congress, contains biographical profiles of former women Members of Congress, links to information about current women Members, essays on the institutional and national events that shaped successive generations of Congresswomen, and images of each woman Member, including rare photos."
Digital Feminist Archives (Barnard Center for Research on Women)
"This archive offers a snapshot of feminist history in the 1960s and 1970s, the institutionalization of women’s centers and women’s studies as an academic discipline, and feminist struggles taking place at colleges and universities, in healthcare and social service centers, in political organizations and neighborhood meetings across the country."

Search DC's JACKETsearch for Resources

Memoirs & Biographies for Women's History Month

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai; Christina Lamb (As told to)
Call Number: LC2330 .Y68 2015
ISBN: 9780316322423
Publication Date: 2015-06-02
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Call Number: E 185.97.A56 A3 1971
ISBN: 9780553279375
Publication Date: 1983-04-01
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Call Number: HV5132 .W35 2006
ISBN: 9780743247542
Publication Date: 2006-01-17
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Call Number: PK6562.29.S376 P470 2007
ISBN: 9780375714832
Publication Date: 2007-10-30
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Call Number: RC265.6.L24 S55 2011
ISBN: 9781400052189
Publication Date: 2011-03-08
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
Call Number: CT 275.K5764 A33 1989
ISBN: 9780679721888
Publication Date: 1989-04-23
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
Call Number: RC464 .K36 A3 1993
ISBN: 0679423664
Publication Date: 1993-05-18
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
Call Number: PE 64 .N34 A3 2004
ISBN: 9780812971064
Publication Date: 2003-12-30
Helen Keller by Dorothy Herrmann
Call Number: HV1624 .K4 H47 1998
ISBN: 0679443541
Publication Date: 1998-08-04
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Call Number: PS3552 .E243 F850 2007
ISBN: 9780618871711
Publication Date: 2007-06-05
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Call Number: G154.5.G55 A3 2007
ISBN: 9780143038412
Publication Date: 2007-01-30
Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman
Call Number: HV9474.F66 K47 2011
ISBN: 9780385523394
Publication Date: 2011-03-08
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
Call Number: QH31.J344 A3 2016
ISBN: 9781101874936
Publication Date: 2016-04-05
First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung
Call Number: DS554.8 .U54 2006
ISBN: 9780060856267
Publication Date: 2006-04-04
Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
Call Number: SB 63 .M22 A3 2006
ISBN: 9780307263483
Publication Date: 2006-10-03

The Urgency of Intersectionality | Kimberlé Crenshaw

"Now more than ever, it's important to look boldly at the reality of race and gender bias -- and understand how the two can combine to create even more harm. Kimberlé Crenshaw uses the term "intersectionality" to describe this phenomenon; as she says, if you're standing in the path of multiple forms of exclusion, you're likely to get hit by both. In this moving talk, she calls on us to bear witness to this reality and speak up for victims of prejudice."

Online Exhibits & Interactive Resources

First but Not the Last: Women Who Ran for President (National Women's History Museum)
"In the 21st century, a little girl can say that she wants to grow up to be President of the United States. Even though no woman has yet ascended to the highest office, few would contradict the possibility of her achieving that goal. Aspiring to be president is symbolic of a country that believes in equality of opportunity and achievement. And that is why women have been running for president long before women were allowed to vote for the president. Each successive candidate has paved the way for the next, regardless of party or platform. Though these women were the first to announce, the first to campaign, the first to raise money, or the first to win a primary, they will not be the last."
Votes for Women: A Visual History (Brandywine River Museum of Art)
"In the absence of televised and digital media, the women’s suffrage campaign played out very differently from political movements today. Suffragists spread their message through magazines, political cartoons, posters, plays, parades, and even through fashion. This exhibition at the Brandywine River Museum of Art examines the visual culture of the suffrage movement, revealing how the “look” of women’s rights developed."
Standing up for Change: African American Women and the Civil Rights Movement (National Women's History Museum)
"As far back as the 19th century, African American women fought for civil rights. They resisted slavery. They spoke out against racism. They established women’s clubs to improve conditions for African Americans. They worked in politics and journalism, organized black labor, and supported education. In the 20th century, they formed the backbone of the modern Civil Rights Movement. African American women were the critical mass, the grassroots leaders challenging America to embrace justice and equality for all."
Where There Is a Woman, There Is Magic (National Portrait Gallery)
"The National Portrait Gallery’s collection illuminates the history and cultures of the people of the United States. In particular, it furthers the understanding of women’s contributions in the fields of business, science, education, the arts, sports, politics, and beyond. This selection of portraits seeks to inspire learning and inquiry through the celebration of women, whose stories are often unsung or missing from the written record. The wide-ranging social and political activities of these notable figures speak to the wider struggles and achievements of women over the last 150 years."
Heroines on the Homefront: Women of the Second World War (Women's Museum of California)
"This exhibit celebrates the women who gave their time and energy to support the war effort in the 1940s." Millions of women began working in factories helping to produce aircrafts, ships, tanks, and military weapons, while others served their country by selling war bonds, volunteering for organizations like the Red Cross, and growing food in Victory Gardens.
Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words Exhibition (Library of Congress)
"Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words showcases rarely seen materials that offer an intimate view of Rosa Parks and documents her life and activism—creating a rich opportunity for viewers to discover new dimensions to their understanding of this seminal figure. The materials are drawn extensively from the Rosa Parks Collection, a gift to the Library of Congress from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation."

A Woman's Fury Holds Lifetimes of Wisdom | Tracee Ellis Ross

"The global collection of women's experiences can no longer be ignored, says actress and activist Tracee Ellis Ross. In a candid, fearless talk, she delivers invitations to a better future to both men and women."