Women's History Month
Women’s History Month Events In California | Honor, Educate, Empower
Women’s History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women throughout history, and California hosts a wide range of events to mark the occasion. Across the state, communities organize panel discussions, educational workshops, museum exhibitions, film screenings, and cultural performances that highlight women’s achievements and voices.
Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento offer diverse programming led by educators, artists, and community leaders. Whether you’re looking to learn, connect, or support women-led initiatives, Women’s History Month events in California provide meaningful opportunities to engage, reflect, and celebrate the impact of women past and present.
Women's History Month
History of the Celebration
“Women’s History Week” in 1978
Women’s History Month began as a local “Women’s History Week” in 1978 within a Sonoma County school district. Educators in Santa Rosa, California, designed the original curriculum to address the lack of female representation in history books. This grassroots idea spread quickly across the country as other communities adopted the celebration. Within two years, the movement reached the White House, leading to official national recognition.
- Start as “Women’s History Week” in 1978 to highlight female contributions to society and culture.
- Observe the first events in Sonoma County where local leaders organized presentations and an essay contest.
- Spread the idea quickly to neighboring school districts and state departments of education.
- Spark a national movement that eventually convinced Congress to expand the week into a full month.
- Honor the California roots of this now-global celebration of women’s historical achievements.
National Month by 1987
The movement evolved into a national month-long observance by 1987 after years of dedicated advocacy. Congress passed a formal resolution designating March as Women’s History Month to recognize the diverse achievements of women throughout American history. Since then, every U.S. president has issued an annual proclamation to uphold this tradition. This official status ensures the celebration remains a firmly established part of our national culture.
- Grow to a national month by 1987 following a successful petition by the National Women’s History Project.
- Pass a congressional resolution that permanently moved the celebration from a single week to all of March.
- Issue a presidential proclamation every year to reaffirm the country’s commitment to honoring women.
- Establish the celebration firmly in schools, museums, and government institutions across the United States.
International Women’s Day on March 8
Aligning Women’s History Month with International Women’s Day on March 8 creates a powerful synergy for advocacy. This global day of recognition falls right in the middle of the month, serving as a high-profile anchor for events. It successfully amplifies the focus on women’s rights and gender equality by drawing worldwide media attention. By connecting local history with global movements, the celebration gains deeper meaning and broader impact.
- Align with International Women’s Day on March 8 to bridge the gap between historical reflection and modern action.
- Observe this global day of recognition to connect with millions of supporters across every continent.
- Fall within the month of March to provide a focal point for school curriculums and corporate initiatives.
- Amplify the focus on women’s rights by participating in synchronized rallies, marches, and digital campaigns.
- Promote global equality by highlighting the shared struggles and triumphs of women throughout time.
National Theme
Modern Trailblazers
This theme honors women today who lead the charge for fair treatment and equal opportunity in every sector of society. These advocates work tirelessly in fields ranging from artificial intelligence to climate science and human rights. By celebrating their current impact, we inspire the next generation to take up the mantle of leadership.
- Recognize modern trailblazers who challenge outdated systems and create new paths for success.
- Honor women today who break glass ceilings in corporate boardrooms and research laboratories.
- Celebrate those fighting for fair treatment and advocating for policy changes that protect workers.
- Support advocates in all fields who mentor others and foster inclusive environments.
- Observe this global day of recognition to connect with millions of supporters across every continent.
Historical Struggle to Current Action
Connecting historical struggle to current action highlights the unbroken line of advocacy that defines the pursuit of equality. This theme links past activism to present efforts, illustrating how today’s progress relies on the foundations laid by earlier generations. It shows that the work for a just society is ongoing and requires constant dedication from everyone.
- Link past activism to present efforts to show how historical victories fuel today’s momentum.
- Connect historical struggle to current action by applying proven strategies to modern social issues.
- Demonstrate the ongoing work required to maintain and expand civil rights for all women.
- Study the lives of early suffragettes to find inspiration for 2026 voting rights advocacy.
- Honor the continuity of leadership that transforms historical lessons into modern-day policies.
Core Activities
Educational Activities
Educate yourself and others to deepen your appreciation for the pioneers who shaped our world. You can start by reading biographies of historical women to understand their personal struggles and triumphs. Watching documentaries about women’s movements provides a visual and emotional connection to the fight for equality. Sharing these resources with your network helps spread knowledge and sparks meaningful conversations about progress.
- Read biographies of historical women to discover the unsung heroes of science, politics, and the arts.
- Watch documentaries about women’s movements to witness the evolution of the global fight for rights.
- Share these resources with your network to encourage collective learning and awareness.
- Visit digital archives and libraries to find primary sources from early activists and leaders.
Women’s Voices
Amplify women’s voices to ensure their insights and leadership receive the recognition they deserve. You can use your social media platforms to highlight the achievements of women in your community and across the globe. Attending lectures and book signings by female authors and scholars, such as those featured at the San Francisco Writers Conference or the Library Speakers Consortium, broadens your perspective and supports their work. By intentionally championing women in leadership, you help foster an environment where diverse voices can flourish and lead.
- Use social media to highlight women’s achievements by sharing success stories and tagging them with #GiveToGain.
- Attend lectures by female authors and scholars like Dr. Lindsey Stewart or Julia Hotz at local libraries and universities.
- Support women in leadership by advocating for formal sponsorship and pay equity within your organization.
- Participate in literary events such as the Romantasy BookCon in Los Angeles or the LoveLitCon in San Diego.
- Elevate diverse perspectives by sharing content from female creators belonging to minority or marginalized communities.
Women-Owned Businesses
Support women-owned businesses to drive direct economic empowerment in your local community. Your purchasing decisions act as a powerful vote for a more inclusive and diverse marketplace. By choosing where you spend your money, you help close the gender wealth gap and provide vital capital to female entrepreneurs. These intentional choices sustain small businesses and foster long-term financial independence for women.
- Make a conscious effort to seek out and prioritize women-led brands in your daily life.
- Shop at women-owned stores to provide the revenue needed for these businesses to scale and thrive.
- Provide direct economic empowerment by investing your dollars in the growth of female-led startups.
- Visit local brick-and-mortar shops to support the women who anchor your neighborhood’s economy.
- Recommend your favorite finds to friends to expand the customer base for these entrepreneurs.
Museums and Cultural Sites
Visit museums and cultural sites throughout California to discover the profound impact women have had on our history and arts. Many institutions curate special exhibits during March, such as the California Museum’s “Women Inspire” gallery or the Academy Museum’s spotlight on female filmmakers. These sites offer a tangible connection to the past through artifacts, guided tours, and interactive displays.
- Explore the “Women Inspire” exhibit at the California Museum to see artifacts from over 250 trailblazing women.
- Visit the Academy Museum in Los Angeles for the “Oscar Sundays” series featuring films written and directed by women.
- Tour the San Diego Air & Space Museum to see the “American Women of Flight” exhibit honoring aviation pioneers.
- Attend a screening at the Oakland Museum of California followed by discussions with female filmmakers and activists.
- Stop by the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park on a Friday morning to meet real home-front workers from WWII.
Major Women’s History Month Events in California
Large-Scale Exhibitions and Museum Programs
Museums throughout California spotlight the achievements of female visionaries through curated tours and immersive exhibitions this March. Major institutions like the de Young Museum and SFMOMA offer specialized gallery walks that focus on the women artists within their permanent collections. You can also visit history museums across the state to discover displays dedicated to the local pioneers who built our communities.
- Join special tours at the de Young Museum to explore the work of influential female painters and sculptors.
- Visit SFMOMA for curated walks that highlight the innovative contributions of women to modern and contemporary art.
- Explore CAAM in Los Angeles for exhibits showcasing the powerful legacies of Black women trailblazers.
- Discover the Autry Museum’s features on the daring women who defined the history and culture of the American West.
- Check local history museums for temporary displays honoring the women pioneers of your specific city or county.
Inspiring Speaker Series and Panels
Attend high-profile lectures and panels to engage with the leading voices of gender advocacy. California’s top universities, including UCLA, Stanford, and UC Berkeley, host renowned scholars and public figures to discuss the evolution of women’s rights. Public library systems statewide also organize intimate author talks that explore everything from historical biographies to modern intersectional feminism.
- Attend the UC Berkeley lecture series featuring the recently archived papers of Amy Tan and discussions on global female leadership.
- Join UCLA’s “Thinking Gender” conference to explore graduate research on the intersection of gender, space, and representation.
- Participate in Stanford’s STEM workshops where industry pioneers discuss breaking barriers in artificial intelligence and engineering.
- Explore the Los Angeles Public Library’s “Women in Sports” exhibit and join local walking tours focused on female architects and activists.
- Join the “Women of the Channel West” summit in Palm Springs to network with top-tier executives in the IT and tech sectors.
Community Workshops and Empowerment Sessions
Hone your creative and professional skills through specialized workshops designed to empower women’s voices this March. You can join writing sessions like “Small Moment, Big Story” in San Diego to master memoir techniques or attend virtual retreats that focus on honoring personal history. Career-minded individuals can participate in the Connect & Thrive Women’s Conference in Los Angeles to gain actionable insights on salary negotiation and personal branding.
- Register for the “Small Moment, Big Story” memoir workshop with Molly Wizenberg in San Diego in March.
- Attend the “Women in STEM Career Day” at Los Angeles Harbor College.
- Join the “Strong Words” storytelling salon at The Ebell of Los Angeles on March 5 for an evening.
- Sign up for the “Connect & Thrive” Conference in Greater Los Angeles for high-level networking and business growth strategies.
- Participate in a “Makers’ Circle” at local cultural centers to learn historical skills like banner making or textile arts.
Film Screenings and Performances
Experience the power of storytelling by attending film screenings and theater productions that center on women’s narratives this March. Independent cinemas throughout the state host specialized series like Women Direct to showcase female filmmakers, while documentary festivals spotlight the vital work of women documentarians. You can also visit local playhouses for stage productions about historical trailblazers, such as A Conversation with Edith Head or the musical Here Lies Love in Los Angeles.
- Attend the “Music by Her Hands” concert in Berkeley on March 7 to hear a tribute to extraordinary women composers.
- Watch Here Lies Love at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles to see a powerful musical focused on the rise of Imelda Marcos.
- Catch a special screening of Nora on March 15 in San Jose, followed by a Q&A with director and actor Anna Campbell.
- Visit the MOXIE Theatre in San Diego for the Lamoise New Works Festival on March 28-29, dedicated to women+ playwrights.
- Join the MashUp Contemporary Dance festival in LA from March 6–8 for performances and classes by female-identifying voices.
- See Real Women Have Curves at Casa 0101 in Los Angeles for an iconic play celebrating the bonds of Latina women.
- Explore the AmateurPianists “Women Composers Recital” in San Diego on March 14 for a free community concert.
Family-Friendly and Educational Activities
Inspire the next generation of leaders by exploring family-friendly events that celebrate female achievement across California. Local libraries host engaging storytimes featuring books about brave girls and groundbreaking women to spark young imaginations. Science centers like the Exploratorium or Discovery Cube offer interactive activities that highlight the vital contributions of women in STEM.
- Attend a “Women in Science” day at the Exploratorium in SF to participate in hands-on engineering challenges led by female mentors.
- Join the “Wonderful Women Buttons” workshop at the Los Angeles Public Library on March 5 to create custom wearable art.
- Visit the Discovery Cube Orange County for specialized family activities that showcase female pioneers in aerospace and physics.
- Complete a women’s history scavenger hunt at the California Museum in Sacramento to win educational prizes and stickers.
- Listen to “Amazing Women” storytimes at your local neighborhood library, featuring guest readers from the community.
- Explore the “Women of Flight” exhibit at the San Diego Air & Space Museum through interactive displays designed for young aviators.
Unique Local Celebrations and Tours
Step outside to discover California’s rich heritage through guided walks and outdoor exhibits this March. Cities like Sacramento and San Diego host historical walking tours that lead you to landmarks significant to the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements. You can also explore the rugged history of the frontier through “Women of the West” events.
- Book a “Downtown Women’s History” tour in Sacramento to see sites central to California’s legislative progress.
- Explore the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego for guided walks focusing on the female entrepreneurs of the early 20th century.
- Attend “Women of the West” talks at local historical societies to learn about the grit of early female ranchers.
- Visit the Chicano Park murals in San Diego during an art walk to see powerful depictions of female activists and revolutionaries.
Past to Inspire the Future
Women’s History Month serves as a vital observance by correcting the historical record and bringing forgotten stories to light. It provides powerful role models for all generations to follow. These narratives showcase women’s resilience, innovation, and leadership throughout time. By celebrating these achievements, we ensure a more accurate and inspiring understanding of our shared past.
- Correct the historical record by highlighting the essential contributions women made to science, art, and politics.
- Provide role models for all generations to inspire young leaders and honor those who came before.
- Share stories of resilience that demonstrate the strength of women overcoming immense social and legal obstacles.
- Showcase female innovation by celebrating the inventors and thinkers who changed the world.
- Empower modern audiences with the knowledge that the fight for progress is a continuous, powerful journey.
Plan Your Month of Engagement
Maximize your impact by checking community calendars in late February for the most current local event listings. City websites and local library systems, like the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture or the LA County Library, often host unique workshops and family activities. Because popular lectures and professional development panels fill up quickly, you should register in advance to secure your spot.
- Register in advance for high-demand sessions like the Wonderful Women Buttons workshop at your local library.
- Involve your workplace by organizing a lunchtime “Pecha Kucha” session where teammates share stories of influential women.
- Make it a family affair by attending interactive events like the Metal Embossing Workshop at the Gardena Mayme Dear Library.
- Follow hashtags like #WomensHistoryMonth and #GiveToGain to discover virtual webinars and global campaigns.
- Commit to year-round learning by joining a book club focused on female authors or visiting the California Museum in Sacramento.
Celebrate and honor the incredible achievements
Support a woman creator. Educate the young people in your life. Help ensure women’s history is recognized as essential American history. The past is full of their voices. Listen, learn, and carry their legacy forward.
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