March is Women’s History Month! What started as a small-town school affair in California has grown into a month-long celebration of women’s influences on history, culture, and society.

Since 1987, Congress has recognized March as National Women’s History Month and according to the National Women’s History Project, the theme for 2018 is “Nevertheless She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.” Here are some ways to celebrate and honor the women in your life!

Practice Self-care

Take a bubble bath. Go for a walk. Re-read your favorite book. Whatever self-care looks like to you, do it! Take some time for yourself to chill out. Whatever it is, be sure to be intentional about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it: to take care of yourself!

Attend a Festival

For the first year ever, Cincinnati will host a National Women’s History Month Festival. The celebration is supported by AlivenArts, a newly formed arts collaborative, and Cincinnati’s choir, MUSE. The celebration is designed to bring women artists from all genres together using unique spaces. The festival kicks off on March 3 and runs until the March 18.  Here is a list of the many events taking place.

Binge-Watch Movies All Month Long

Check out these iconic films featuring strong women. Which is your favorite?

• A League of Their Own. (1992). For sports fans, this flick follows two sisters as they join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help is flourish while navigating their own growing rivalry. (Available for streaming on Hulu)
• Eat Pray Love. (2010). After realizing how unhappy her life had become, Liz Gilbert goes through a painful divorce and decides to travel the world while trying to “find herself.” (Available for streaming on Hulu)
• Hidden Figures. (2016). The compelling story of NASA mathematicians who served a vital role in the early years of the U.S. space program. The best part? They’re all African-American women! (Available to for streaming on HBO)
• Mulan. (1998). Disney fans are no stranger to this tale of a young maiden trying to protect her father by impersonating him in the army, becoming one of China’s greatest heroines in the process. (Available for streaming on Netflix)
• Legally Blonde. (2001). Fashionable and pink-loving sorority queen Elle Woods is crushed by a break-up and decides to follow her now ex-boyfriend to law school. While there, Elle realizes that there is more to her than just good looks. (Available for streaming on Starz)
• Coco Before Chanel. (2009). The story of fashion idol Coco Chanel’s rise from obscure beginnings to the top of the fashion world. (Available for purchase on Amazon Video)
• The Devil Wears Prada. (2006). Recent grad Andy Sachs thinks shes landed her dream job working for the editor-in-chief of a popular high fashion magazine. Only Andy knows nothing about high fashion. (Available for purchase on Google Play)

Read a Book with Your Favorite Girl

She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World is a children’s book written by Chelsea Clinton that introduces thirteen phenomenal women that wouldn’t take no for an answer and changed history as a result. The book encourages readers to follow their dreams and not to give up, no matter how many obstacles stand in the way. The message is: persistence is power.

Listen to Girl-led Podcasts

Skip the annoying radio commercials and try out a few podcasts. Here are some hosted by women for women.

• Invisibila. The Latin term “Invisibilia” means “all the invisible things” which is exactly what this podcast talks about. Combining interesting human stories with psychological and brain science, hosts Alix Spiegel, Lulu Miller and Hanna Rosin discover new ways of thinking, behaving and living life. (Available on iTunes, Google Play Music and NPR)
• Call Your Girlfriend. In need of some girl talk? This podcast is dedicated to best friends in long-distance relationships. Hosts Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman and Gina Delvac are here for women that want to stay up-to-date on the latest regarding current events in politics and pop culture. (Available on iTunes)
• Another Round. Hosts Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton have fun while candidly talking internet culture, blackness, freedom, and creative expression. This podcast sheds light to life’s challenges faced by women of color with color and humor. (Available on iTunes, BuzzFeed and SoundCloud)
• How to Be a Girl. This documentary-style podcast follows the trials of a single mother and her 8-year-old transgender daughter, offering a beautiful story of discovering identity, love, and compassion. (Available on iTunes)
• Being Boss. A podcast that teaches about being a boss at life, doing what you want, and getting paid for it! Hosts Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson offer motivation and advice for women on how to become successful entrepreneurs. (Available on iTunes and SoundCloud)

Research a Woman in History

Think of a woman from the past that you’d like to learn more about. Whether its artist Frida Kahlo, activist Rosa Parks, poet Emily Dickinson, or Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, try to learn something new! (Bonus points if you share what you found in a comment below!)

Not sure where to start? We feature amazing, inspiring woman every week on our Instagram and Twitter pages!

Most Importantly, Celebrate the Women Around You!

Lift up the women in your life! Compliment the woman picking out bananas at the grocery store. Buy your coworker a cup of coffee. Send your supervisor a quick message or give your grandmother a call. Let the women in your life know how they have made you a better person and hank them for being inspirational. Make sure she knows how amazing she is!

What are your plans for Women’s History Month? Have anything to add to the list?