Join us as we celebrate and learn about the important contributions made by women throughout history and today.
March is Women’s History Month. Started in 1978 as a week-long celebration in California, Women’s History Month has developed into a nationwide, month-long recognition of women’s historic and contemporary contributions to society. Today, we continue this tradition by expanding our understanding of the key role women have played in shaping the culture of the United States and beyond.
Continue below to learn about diverse contributions by women to history, politics, science, art, and more with resources for all ages.
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Women’s History & Contributions: Now and Then
UNC-TV’s GIRL Power! collection
Grades K-5
UNC-TV Public Media North Carolina’s GIRL Power! is shining a light on girls of ALL ages who lead, mentor, inspire and impact those around them by tapping into their unique strengths. Check out this collection of their stories!
Unladylike2020 collection
Grades 6-12
Unladylike2020 honors the centennial of women’s suffrage. This collection of digital resources presents the rich history of 26 little-known Progressive Era women who broke barriers in then-male-dominated fields such as science, business, journalism, exploration, and the arts. Touching on topics such as the labor movement, immigration, politics, civil rights, and women’s suffrage, these resources develop students’ historical thinking skills and help them make connections between past and present.
Women in STEM | The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers
Grades 6-12
Learn about contemporary women scientists in the fields of aerospace, mechanical engineering, climate science, molecular biology, astronomy and more with this collection of video interviews from NOVA’s The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers.
Fierce Women of Art | The Art Assignment
Grades 9-12
In this episode of The Art Assignment, learn about a group of supremely awesome and unapologetic artists who take risks, question art-world practices, and also happen to be women. They are truly inspirational artists who make a wide range of work. We’re calling them “Fierce Women of Art” and this episode singles-out and celebrates five of them: the Guerrilla Girls, Corita Kent, Lynda Benglis, Xiao Lu, and Kara Walker.
Famous Feminists, Leaders & Visionaries
Dolores Huerta Reader | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
Grades K-2
Print and fold this 2-page biosketch about Dolores Huerta into a booklet! Learn about how Dolores Huerta, one of the most important feminist activists of the 20th century, formed the United Farm Workers Union alongside fellow organizer Cesar Chavez and helped farm workers, immigrants, and women get treated more fairly.
Fierce Female Athletes | Know Ohio
Grades 3-8
Mary shares about Ohio’s early female athletes, including sharp shooter Annie Oakley and players during WWII on the All-American Girls Softball League like Dottie Kamenshek. Plus, she explains how Title IX opened the door for females to compete in all sorts of sports!
Women and Environmental Activism | A Wild Idea
Grades 6-12
Learn how women in the Adirondacks, like Anne Labastille and Dr. Liz Thorndike, led the charge in the early environmental movement paving the way for climate activism today.
The Notorious Women of Piracy | Rogue History
Grades 6-12
Why is the woman pirate Zheng Yi Sao not as well known as the male pirate Blackbeard? Zheng Yi Sao had a fleet of 1,200 ships at the height of her powers, whereas Blackbeard had just four or five. Join us as we explore the incredible and unsung stories of history’s most notorious women pirates.
Women Lead a Radical Experiment in Early Solar Power | The Sun Queen
Grades 9-12
Discover how scientist Mária Telkes, architect Eleanor Raymond, and philanthropist Amelia Peabody created the world’s first solar-powered house in Dover, Massachusetts, in 1948 in these clips adapted from The Sun Queen | American Experience. The Dover Sun House, constructed without a furnace, kept a family of three warm over several New England winters and brought media attention to both Telkes and solar power.
Activities, Books & More
How to Raise a Self-Confident Girl
Grades PreK-3
Find out how you can empower your daughter and bolster her self confidence.
15 Children’s Books to Celebrate Women’s History Month
Grades PreK-4
In honor of Women’s History Month, here are 15 books about impactful and inspirational historic and modern-day women. While some of these women are well-known, others are not — yet all of them have made an important mark on the world.
Hero Maker Game | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
Grades K-2
Visit the wall of historical heroes and learn more about each hero, including some amazing women from history like Mary Shelley, Beulah Louise Henry, Sacagawea and more! You can make your own hero with an avatar creator, give your hero a name, and make a motivational poster that will be displayed upon the wall of heroes.
Women and the American Revolution | Interactive Lesson
Grades 9-12
What do you think of when you hear the term American Revolution? In this interactive lesson, examine the ways in which women contributed to Revolutionary America and learn why their contributions are important to fully understanding this period in history.