From Women’s History Month to global International Women’s Day celebrations, March is a time to champion the power of women’s voices and resilience, and drive positive change. As you make your plans to celebrate Women’s History Month, here are ways to access inspiring content from the past and even find new voices.
From writing to speaking to filmmaking, women have long found various ways to tell stories that educate, entertain, or help people connect with each other.
Neshat-isms collects quotes from Shirin Neshat, an Iranian-American artist, focusing on themes of loss, exile, and women’s advocacy. Fire on the Track by Roseanne Montillo shares the true story of pioneering women in pursuit of Olympic Gold, centered on Betty Robinson, the first female Olympic track champion. How the García Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez follows the journey of four sisters, from the Dominican Republic to New York City, revealing their past and present through interconnected stories.
“This Women’s History Month, I think it would be interesting to dive into books on women’s rights and history to truly understand the struggles and triumphs of women throughout the years,” expressed SAS junior Valeria Lopes.
HEA senior, Ava Santiago, shared, “As a young woman, I feel it’s crucial to educate myself about the history of my gender and the ongoing fight for equality.”
The stories we consume shape our understanding of the world. And the stories of women — both historical and contemporary — are inspiring. This Women’s History Month, you can immerse yourself in women’s voices and narratives, with help from Google.
YouTube is amplifying women creators across your favorite genres from tech and art to gaming and fitness. You can see some of your favorite channels – and discover a few new voices – by visiting YouTube’s Spotlight Channel.
Google TV is also curating a collection of films and shows highlighting women’s perspectives — keep an eye out for content recommendations with the tag “Her Power, Her Voice,” as well as a special collection featuring Oscar-winning women.
“As a daily user of YouTube, I’m excited to explore the Spotlight Channel to discover new women creators in my favorite genres,” shared SAS senior Cynthia Ramirez. “I also think that having this resource available online makes it easier and more accessible for people to engage in this special month.”
Featured films include: Hidden Figures, which depicts three black mathematicians at NASA in the 1960s launching the first American astronaut into orbit, overcoming challenges in a male-dominated environment. On the Basis of Sex follows Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s early career fighting for women’s rights in the 1960s legal system. Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise is a documentary celebrating Dr. Maya Angelou’s life from her upbringing in the South to her influential work alongside Malcolm X. Queen Katwe tells the story of Phiona, a Ugandan girl who finds success in chess, offering her a chance to escape poverty.
“As a woman and someone who loves watching movies, I find inspiration in watching films that depict strong and independent female characters,” remarked SAS senior Liliana Santos.
HEA junior, Ariel Leon, shared a similar opinion, mentioning, “I feel like everyone, myself included, should mark the occasion by watching films that tell the stories of remarkable women who have overcome obstacles and made a lasting impact on the world.”
Museums and galleries around California are paying tribute to female icons and trailblazers throughout March and beyond. At the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, this month’s Oscar Sundays film series will feature both Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning movies written by women, such as When Harry Met Sally and Thelma & Louise. While you’re at the museum, note the Pillar Campaign, with several literal columns named in honor of women in film, including Rita Moreno, Hattie McDaniel, and Sophia Loren.
“As a film enthusiast, visiting the Academy Museum would be a unique opportunity to celebrate the diverse voices and stories of women in film,” expressed HGM senior Kevin Lee.
Nearby, at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, take in stories that recognize the history of women in Los Angeles, past and present. In Oakland, check out a screening of Chicana, a 1979 film that is considered to be the first major feminist Chicana documentary, at the Oakland Museum of California. The film’s director, Sylvia Morales, will be on hand for a conversation afterward. At the San Diego Air & Space Museum, stop by American Women of Flight, which honors icons such as Amelia Earhart.
Similarly, International Women’s Day at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach will highlight Latina artisans.
“The opportunity to attend screenings and meetings focusing on women’s contributions to science and history is incredibly exciting and a unique experience,” remarked SAS sophomore Sally Cuadrado.
In Los Angeles, you can pedal through women’s history on the Women’s History Ride. The 4.9-mile loop begins at Union Station and winds through Downtown L.A., passing through various landmarks associated with some of the city’s most towering women figures from the fields of architecture, women’s rights, and philanthropy.
“I bicycle to school everyday, so that’s something I already love doing, and doing it for a good cause would be even more cool,” shared SAS senior David Ortega.
International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to explore women’s contributions throughout history. For a deeper dive into art by women around the world, you can explore a virtue exhibition of women’s art in Google’s gallery Her Own Muse. Upon entering this exhibition you will discover the artistic worlds of iconic painters like Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keeffe, Edmonia Lewis, and many more artists from around the world.
No matter how you choose to celebrate this special month, you should join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American and world history.
Navigate the Women’s Art and Culture Exhibition by Google: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/women-in-culture
Immerse yourself in the Google Virtual Art Gallery “Her Own Muse”: https://artsandculture.google.com/pocketgallery/aQWhbjbO06n2Mg
