Did you know that March is Women’s History Month? This means there is plenty of time to plan out all of the amazing ways that you can celebrate the holiday. Luckily, there are so many fun things you can do to help enjoy this wonderful month without having to spend a small fortune. This will allow you to explore women’s history and even become a piece of it if you so choose. These ten ideas will help you to start the planning process, but there are so many other ways to explore the month if you choose to branch out even further.
1. Explore Books by Women Authors
Often, women’s books tend to get swept under the rug, especially if they were created in a time when women’s rights weren’t in place. There are so many great books to check out that will help you to learn more about women authors and how they have changed writing for the better. One book you might want to begin with is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This book kick-started the science fiction genre and introduced one of the most beloved monsters of all time. Of course, you will find so many incredible books from women from all walks of life. You might even start with books that have recently been a controversy, such as Toni Morrison’s Beloved. Many of these books are free or will only cost a few dollars, so let your reading guide you through the month.
2. Enjoy Music Created By Women
Another easy way to embrace Women’s History Month is to listen to music created by women. Whether the song is written by, performed by, or produced by a woman, you will gain something from enjoying it. There are many playlists dedicated to women performers so you can always begin there. So many women were pioneers in the music industry and don’t get the credit they deserve, so discovering these pioneers might be a good place to start. To get you started, you might explore the music of Sister Rosetta Tharpe who rocked out on the guitar before electric guitars were common in the industry.
3. Understand Women’s Rights
You might think that women’s rights are all in place since we live in modern society. However, you might be surprised to learn that there are many struggles women face to this day. Women’s History Month is a great time to get acquainted with women’s rights. You might start by learning about the struggle women have worked through to get us where we are today. Once you have a good understanding of this, then look up the rights women are fighting for today. This can be one for the country you live in as well as the rest of the world. Understanding these issues can help you to gain a better grasp of the world that you live in, which is incredibly important.
4. Interview Women
Another fantastic way to celebrate is to interview the women in your life. You might start with your mother or grandmother, but this is only the beginning. If you’re not certain who to talk to then you might consider going to a local nursing home or hospital. Many women that are elderly or sick do not receive a lot of company and are often eager to talk to others. This is a great way to learn about the stories of others so you can gain an even better understanding of the past. If you admire a woman that you don’t know in person, you might look into sending a letter or email to whoever handles their publicity. You may get a response to the questions you have for them, which can definitely be helpful.
5. Volunteer for Women’s Charities
There are a lot of women’s charities available, so if you really want to make a difference then you might choose to volunteer for a charity that assists women. You can even choose your volunteer service based on your interests or professional skills. There are places for women escaping battered homes, those that assist women in finding jobs, and even some that help underprivileged girls find mentors to keep them on the right track. If you enjoy working with children and teenagers, then you might also consider volunteering at a girls’ juvenile facility to help make an impression on girls that may be struggling. There are other ways to help women out too. For instance, you might consider offering food to a woman in need. You can also lend emotional or mental support. Even if you’re helping out a woman in your life, you will find that this is one of the most rewarding ways to spend the month.
6. Say Thank You
Showing your gratitude for women that inspire you and have worked hard to ensure today’s women have a good life is a great way to spend the month of March. Many of the women that have helped shaped the world we live are no longer with us, but you can show your gratitude in working hard to ensure all they accomplished isn’t taken away. You can also create art inspired by your feelings towards their accomplishments. If the women that you are grateful for are still alive then take some time to show much you care. You can call the women you know, send an email to those you don’t, or simply put a shoutout on social media to share your feelings. You can also create art for these women, which can help spread the message of all that they have accomplished.
7. Women Inspired TED Talks
If you get a lot out of TED Talks, then you’ll be pleased to know that there are many women that will help you embrace the month all the more. Any TED Talk from a woman will help you to enjoy their words and learn from their ideas. However, there are some talks that are particularly about women’s issues, history, and even the future. These talks will help to encourage you to embrace the month and propel forward with the ideas you have learned. There are many playlists you can check out too, which will make finding the videos easier. If you find a particular talk inspiring, then it is easy to put some research into the speaker so you can learn a bit more.
8. Mentor a Girl
Although learning the women’s history is important, there is something else we should always consider when we look to women’s issues. That is the future. There is a generation of girls that are lacking role models or even someone just to talk to. So, you might choose to use this month to get motivated to mentor a child in need. There are many programs that will help you get started with this. However, if you don’t think you are ready to work with children, then you might consider mentoring a teenager or a college student in regard to your career field. This will help ensure you have helped prepare the future for greatness.
9. Watch Historical Films About Women
If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, then you can always look into historical films about women. There are so many incredible films to choose from that will allow you to learn about history while having a bit of fun in the process. Historical films are a great way to entertain yourself too, which will allow you to gain even more on days that you’re busy. There are plenty of lists to check out if you’re not sure where to begin your journey. You will certainly be able to find something that interests you though as you surf through movies about baseball, music, politics, and simple period pieces. You might also look into movies that are directed by women, so you will gain even more from the experience.
10. Shop from Women
Another big way to make a difference in March is to shop from stores that are run by women. This might not be as hard as it might sound, as many communities acknowledge businesses owned by women. If you’re not sure where to begin, then you can start your journey online. There are many places to find lists of stores owned by women. Even major retailers like Target and Amazon will connect shoppers to businesses owned by women, which will help you find something you love. Once you do, you don’t have to shop on these websites. In fact, simply search for the vendor’s actual website so you can purchase directly from them.
Celebrating Women’s History can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re on a budget. These tips will allow you to make the most of the holiday while ensuring you learn something too. With any luck, you will find inspiration or motivation to take on the challenges that you are faced with.
