INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
“Women’s history is women’s right – an essential, indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long-range vision.”
- Gerda Lerner, pioneering historian, author, and activist
During Women’s History Month, we celebrate the courageous women who have helped our Nation build a fairer, more just society.
Throughout history, the vision and achievements of powerful women have strengthened our Nation and opened the doors of opportunity wider for all of us. Though their stories too often go untold, all of us stand on the shoulders of these sung and unsung trailblazers — from the women who took a stand as suffragists, abolitionists, and labor leaders to pioneering scientists and engineers, groundbreaking artists, proud public servants, and brave members of our Armed Forces.
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. Women’s History Month 2024 will take place from Friday, March 1 - Sunday, March 31, 2024.
In our local South Sound Community and throughout the United Ways of the region, we celebrate the women that have helped to be a guiding light throughout this journey.
Women's History Month: How It Started, Why We Celebrate in March and More Questions Answered
Articles and Resources for Women’s History Month
32 Activities To Celebrate Women's History Month:
National Women’s History Museum Articles:
History.com Women’s Rights and Famous Women:
Local Women’s History Events
Tacoma Public Library has a number of Women’s History Month happening at their various branches in March.
Western Washington University has a bunch of online resources about Women’s History Month, including 17 Ideas and Activities to Show Gratitude for Historic Women, the impact of Title IX on Women, and much more.
At Northwest African American Museum’s website, you can watch a discussion with Seattle-based artist and entrepreneur Hiawatha D. reflecting on his art exhibit, Iconic Black Women: Ain’t I a Woman. Inspired by Black people transcending historical, societal, racial, and economic challenges in America, the exhibit is Hiawatha D.’s homage to the resilience, power, and beauty of Black women history-makers.
Women's History Month highlights at the Royal Room in Seattle
March 7, 7:30 p.m.: The Tiptons Sax Quartet & Drums--they're an internationally renowned all-female saxophone quartet with drums, celebrating over 30 years as a band. Formed in 1988 in Seattle, WA by Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame member Amy Denio (alto sax, clarinet, voice), she is joined by co-leader Jessica Lurie (soprano/alto/ tenor sax,voice), Sue Orfield (tenor sax, voice), and Tina Richerson (baritone saxophone, voice). The Tiptons' material ranges from micro-Big Band to Gospel, Bluegrass to Balkan, whimsical Chamber Jazz, and nocturnal Funk to Free Jazz Improvisation using saxophones, clarinet, their voices, drums, and inventive percussion to create a genre-busting ‘world soul’ sound. The band takes its name in honor of Billy Tipton, a female-born saxophonist who lived their life as a man in the 20th century to realize their dreams as a professional musician.
March 8, 7:30 p.m.: Seattle Composers Alliance presents SCA Live Sessions--The Change We Seek. Live Sessions is an ongoing concert series featuring the works of SCA members, played by rotating lineups of world-class musicians. The concerts are hosted in our favorite Seattle venues and enjoyed by all. To celebrate International Women's Day and local music creators alike, come hear works by nearly a dozen local composers inspired by the change they seek for the betterment of our society. The SCA is honored to have its members' music brought to life live by the Nelda Swiggett Quintet, comprised of extraordinary jazz instrumentalists from around the Puget Sound.
March 13, 7:30 p.m.: Critical Mass Big Band--To commemorate and celebrate Women's History Month, Critical Mass Big Band will present an evening dedicated to compositions by female composers. The event will feature works by Nelda Swiggett, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Maria Schneider, Jessika Smith, Ellen Rowe, Leigh Pilzer, Courtney Wright, Annie Booth, Hazel Leach, Michele Fernandez, Patty Darling, and Mary Lou Williams. Since its inception in 2001, Critical Mass Big Band has developed into a distinguished group of Seattle-area musicians performing some of the finest big band music.
March 7, 6-8 p.m.: International Women’s Day Expo is at Columbia Tower Club. It's a celebration of women's achievements and a platform to empower and inspire. Explore new ways to stay healthy, be on top of the latest beauty and fashion trends, manage your business and finances, learn about fitness and nutrition, and build year round relationships! This event will feature inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and a marketplace showcasing products from women-owned businesses. Join together to be educated, inspired, and uplifted through health, beauty, finance, fashion, and so much more!
March 7-30, Wed-Sun 12-5 p.m.: Vashon Center for the Arts Gallery presents Women Make Glass, artworks by 15 of the PNW trailblazing women glass artists: Lydia Boss • Nancy Burgess • Bri Chesler • Jen Elek • Raya Friday • Sabrina Knowles and Jenny Pohlman • Carol Milne • Debora Moore • Morgan Peterson • Kait Rhoads • Megan Stelljes • April Surgent • Cappy Thompson • Karen Willinbrink-Johnsen. Women Make Glass marks the first show of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, solely dedicated to showcasing the women glass artists of the Northwest and their contributions to the studio glass movement. Women broke into the glass scene about 30 years ago, and the women glass artists of the PNW were at the forefront, shattering the status quo and blowing minds by experimenting with more sculptural methods.
March 8, 7 p.m.: Alliance Française de Seattle presents Portrait of Ludmilla as Nina Simone, a performance featuring music and storytelling of Nina Simone. Ludmilla Dabo, accompanied by Molière Award-winning writer, director, and musician David Lescot, sings a moving, intimate, and dazzling portrait of Nina Simone, the iconic “High Priestess of Soul.” Through the legendary singer’s music and life story, intertwined with personal stories from Dabo’s own life, Dabo charts Simone’s journey from young musical prodigy to her role as a major figure in the civil rights movement.
March 8: International Women's Day 1M 5K 10K 13.1 26.2 (virtual) celebrates and honors all women, everywhere. No matter who you are, where you live or what you do for a living YOU MATTER and each woman in the world is beautiful and important! Get out and celebrate being a women and/or celebrate all of the amazing women in your life! Run or walk and you choose which distance you want to complete.
March 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Awaken Her: A Spring Summit for Women is a one-of-a-kind event designed for women to come together, connect, and empower each other. Join us for a day filled with inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. This summit is all about celebrating the strength, resilience, and beauty of women. Whether you're looking to gain new insights, make meaningful connections, or simply have a great time, Awaken Her is the place to be. The event takes place at 1001 S. Yakima Street in Tacoma.
March 8, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Edmonds Waterfront Center hosts the 7th Annual Edmonds International Women’s Day Celebration. Over the last several decades the pressure on women to “have it all” has not only impacted how we balance our lives but also our mental health. Join us for brunch, breakout sessions and networking opportunities. This year’s theme, Accelerate Action Through Women’s Health, highlights the growing need for women’s health equity and well-being in today’s fast-paced world. We will have leading health experts discuss women’s overall health.
March 8, 6-9 p.m.: Celebrating Her - International Women's Day is an evening dedicated to honoring and empowering women from all walks of life, which takes place at the Croatian Cultural Center in Anacortes. This event is a celebration of achievements, resilience, and unity among women. Come together to enjoy music and song by Cafe Impromtu, inspiring speakers, food and drink, a silent auction and to connect with like-minded attendees. All proceeds from tonight's auction will go to support programs for women in need. Celebrating Her is dedicated to fostering solidarity among women of all ages and backgrounds.
March 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: The 2025 Latinas Brunch offers a light brunch, a great networking opportunity, and the chance to celebrate women and our Latina community in honor of Women's History Month 2025! This is a free event, but we appreciate your donations—your support makes this gathering possible. Join us for an inspiring morning of connection, empowerment, and celebration! The event takes place in the Founders Hall at University of Washington Foster School of Business.
March 13, 7-9 p.m.: Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2025 comes to the Admiral Theater in West Seattle, celebrating extraordinary women and their thrilling adventures. Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled showcase of courage and triumph that will ignite your spirit. Don’t miss this unforgettable adventure! Every year, our unique films are carefully chosen to show awesome women achieving their personally adventurous goals. Being adventurous doesn't always mean being the fastest, going the highest, or doing the most extreme things. Adventure for most of us is stepping outside our comfort zone and climbing our own Everest. The films showcase real stories about women from a variety of cultures and sports around the world.
March 20, 5:30-7 p.m.: Washington State History Museum presents Home Front / War Front: Fly for Freedom, a new multimedia performance from Living Voices. This production highlights the little-known stories and contributions of working women in the World War II aeronautics industry through a unique blend of theater and archival film. It amplifies the experiences of Black women through the Rosie the Riveters who built planes in Boeing’s factories, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Double Victory campaign. This event is great for guests of all ages.
Woman suffrage in Washington, 1916–1918
Frances Wisebart Jacobs founded Mile High United Way, the first United Way in the world, in 1887. She led four faith leaders in establishing the organization in Denver (it was originally called the Charity Organization Society and would later become Mile High United Way). United Way now serves more than 1,800 communities across 37 countries and territories worldwide. Her legacy for meeting basic needs is evident in United Way's 211 resource lines. In 1885, she established the Free Kindergarten Association and opened Denver's first free kindergarten. Wisebart Jacobs is also credited as found of the Jewish Family Service of Colorado and National Jewish Health. “At a time when women couldn’t vote and had few of the rights and privileges that women in the U.S. enjoy today, Frances demonstrated the power of one person to make changes,” said Jill Tietjen, CEO of Technically Speaking and author of Her Story: A Timeline of the Women Who Changed America.
We thank Frances for making a lasting impact in communities across the world!
Angela F. Williams, CEO of United Way Worldwide, is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, recognized for her transformative leadership and commitment to equity, economic mobility, and social justice. As the first Black woman to lead United Way in its 135-year history, she is breaking down systemic barriers and driving community-driven solutions worldwide. Williams, inspired by her father’s civil rights legacy, has spent decades advocating for those in need—from disaster relief efforts to fighting for economic opportunity for all. Read more about her inspiring journey: https://www.usatoday.com/.../angela-williams.../77089258007/
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Dona has been the President and CEO for United Way of Pierce County since 2014 and has been with the United Way movement for more than 30 years. Locally she led a groundbreaking tristate research project on the financial stability of families, deployed navigation specialists for South Sound 211, launched seven Center for Strong Families sites and serves on the Governor’s Poverty Work Group. Currently, in partnership with the City of Tacoma, County and DSHS, she and her team are leading another Guaranteed Income Demonstration project.
Dona has consistently been very engaged in her community and has demonstrated strong leadership through service and board membership. She is a member of the Junior League Tacoma and is a past President of the Association of Junior Leagues International. In addition, she serves on the boards of the Tacoma Art Museum, Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital, Coordinated Care, and the Workforce Development Council. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve as a Board of Trustee for Tacoma Community College and is currently chair of the Board. She was recently honored by the University of Washington Milgard School of Business as the 2024 Non-Profit Leader of the Year. Dona holds a BA in Psychology and a MS Degree in Counseling with emphasis in children and families from Creighton University.