Since its national conception in 1981, March has been known as Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and honor both notable women throughout history and the contributions they’ve made to society. From saluting women while sipping wine to hitting the pavement for the cause to various museum exhibits about and by women, D.C. boasts a number of ways to highlight and celebrate women and their achievements. Here, Secret D.C. has rounded up the Women’s History Month happenings you don’t want to miss:
1. 5th annual HerStory 5K
On the fifth anniversary of its inception, the HerStory 5k—created in partnership between D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and AETNA— will hit the pavement once again on Saturday, March 4. This free walk/run at Freedom Plaza is a tribute to the 350,000 women and girls who live in D.C. and make it a better place. Following the 5K, attendees can partake in a festival boasting pop-up women’s history exhibits, local women-owned vendors, music, and giveaways! Learn more here.
2. She Comes First at Miracle Theatre
Story District is honoring Women’s History Month on Tuesday, March 14 with special first-person stories that emphasize the collective’s “annual celebration of dope women doing dope shit.” We couldn’t say it better ourselves! Learn more here.
3. Women in Wine at Vitis Fine Wines
“Let’s go, girls!” Supporting women by sipping wine? We’re in! Union Market’s Vitis Wines is hosting “Women In Wine” on Thursday, March 16, offering 10 wines in this walk around gathering and the opportunity to chat with women working in wine: winemakers, importers, owners, and even marketers. Learn more here.
4. Check out the National Women’s History Museum
What better way to learn about and celebrate some of the most renowned women in history than by hitting up the National Women’s History Museum? This online museum offers a bevvy of information on female historical figures and their amazing feats. But even better, the museum will be launching its first in-person exhibit in honor of Women’s History Month: you can check out “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist D.C.” when it debuts at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Thursday, March 30. Learn more here.
5. Library of Congress
The Library of Congress will be hosting two talks as a special Women’s History Month version of Live at the Library, highlighting two sets of renowned women in their own words!
- Photojournalist Sharon Farmer and curator emerita at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston Anne Tucker (Thursday, March 16)
- Women from the woman-run 1970s D.C. record label Olivia Records (Thursday, March 30)
6. National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of art is honoring women two-fold: hosting the spring’s inaugural National Gallery Nights with a theme oh “(S)heroes” and offering a special “An Ode To Women In Art” Tour!
- “(S)heroes” National Gallery Night (Thursday, March 9)
- “An Ode To Women In Art” Tour (Sunday, March 12)
7. National Museum of American History
Once a recognized proponent of the 1990s riot grrrl movement, zines remain a great form of self-expression. The National Museum of American History is hosting a Music HerStory Zine Workshop on Saturday, March 4, to teach young girls and women how to create their own zines and bridge musicians to readers. There will be two sessions, one morning and one afternoon, with the morning geared toward children and families and the afternoon toward teens and adults. Learn more here.
8. Hirshhorn Museum
The female body has been the subject matter of art across all mediums throughout history and to this day. On Wednesday, March 8, Hirshhorn curator Betsy Johnson and artist Loie Hollowell will host the online forum “On Art and the Female Body” to discuss how “art can reflect on the confluence between the spiritual and temporal nature of the female form.” Though it’s being held over Zoom, advance registration is required.
9. The Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center will be hosting two Women’s History Month events this March: one will tickle your funny bone and one will elevate the contributions of Black women in society, but both are must-visits!
- RIOT! Funny Women Stand Up (Thursday, March 9)
- BGR!FEST (Thursday, March 9-Saturday, March 11)
10. National Portrait Gallery
From a women’s concert series, to an art festival, and a poignant exhibit on remarkable Black women, the National Portrait gallery has special events the entire month of March:
- Women’s History Month Sunday concert series (Every Sunday in March)
- Creativity is Magic: Maya Lin Festival (Saturday, March 11)
- I Dream a World: Selections from Brian Lanker’s Portraits of Remarkable Black Women (Part II) (All March)