15 Ways to Celebrate Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month, which celebrates women's contributions to history, culture and society. As Soroptimists you give so much to the women and girls we serve, dedicating your time, mentorship, and gifts. Wondering how you can celebrate Women’s History Month 2022? We’ve got you covered with 15 excellent ideas.

1. Participate in SIA’s Special Events and Celebrations

• Mid-March: Early Registration for Convention Opens
  Register early for SIA’s virtual 47th Soroptimist Biennial Convention, featuring Malala Yousafzai as keynote speaker.
• March 8: International Women’s Day Tea Party
  Sip a cup of tea and wear your fanciest hat, pearls, and gloves while enjoying a festive program featuring Soroptimist leaders and members. Please note: If Zoom registration is full, view the event live on SIA Facebook page. 
• March 14-25: 66th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
  Virtual attendance for this inspirational United Nations led meeting is open to all.
• March 31: Club Operations Training
  To help clubs function at their highest level, we invite you to join us for a free upcoming training designed for club officers to improve the club experience. All members are welcome to attend. Register here!

2. Explore the History of Women’s Rights

The theme of Women’s History Month 2022, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. If you don’t know the history of women’s rights, now’s a perfect time to learn!

3. Be Aware of Issues Women Still Face Today

Although women have made progress, there are still areas where women face obstacles because of their gender. For example, women still earn less on average than men, carry the majority of household and childcare responsibilities, face workplace stigmas and double standards, and are under-represented in leadership, STEM careers, and politics. Plus, there’s domestic violence, sexual harassment, trafficking, and rape culture. Oh, and hiring bias, harmful beauty standards, and the pink tax. Do we need to go on?

4. Take Action: Equal Pay Petition

While Women’s History Month reminds us of women’s achievements, pay inequality still prevents women and girls from reaching their full potential. Help send a message to world leaders — sign our petition to eliminate the global pay gap!

5. Mentor a Girl or Fellow Woman

There are tons of local and national programs where you can become a mentor for women and girls. Our Dream It, Be It program is one example. Or go beyond the cash award and determine additional ways your club can support and engage with your Live Your Dream Awards recipient after awarding her the money. Being a mentor is a big commitment, but it’s also profoundly impactful, highly rewarding, and can change both mentor and mentee’s lives!

6. Encourage Friends to Shop QVC and Sol de Janeiro

Soroptimist is thrilled to announce two new cause partnerships with QVC and Sol de Janeiro just in time for Women's History Month! 

• The flagship shopping channel, QVC, has committed a $100,000 gift to Soroptimist and will be asking their customers to make an additional gift to our Dream Programs all month long! 
• Beauty brand Sol de Janeiro has pledged an initial $10,000 gift and will be including LiveYourDream.org branding on products exclusively sold at Sephora!

7. Invest in Women and Girls

Soroptimist helps tens of thousands of women and girls across the globe achieve economic empowerment through education. Your gift can help us create more positive change!

8. Hold Facebook Fundraiser for Women and Girls

Start a fundraiser to rally your friends and family behind a worthy cause! Together, your community can make a measurable difference and invest in a brighter, more equal future for women and girls. Starting a fundraiser is so easy with tools like Facebook—what are you waiting for? Fundraise on Facebook

9. Host Event to Celebrate Women

An event is a fun way to acknowledge Women’s History Month and to build solidarity with other women. Invite your fierce and fabulous friends (not just women, but allies too!). Make it positive and empowering! Some fun ideas to make the event special:

• Watch movies directed by women and with female leads
• Chill to some feminist shows on Netflix
• Spin tunes by female artists
• Have an impromptu fashion show
• Write positive affirmations on notes and hand them out
• Decorate your space with empowering quotes by women, or art by women like Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keefe
• Start a conversation about what sisterhood means 
• Have everyone write down new year’s resolutions to do more to support women
• Have a mini ceremony and give out awards to each of your gal pals to celebrate their resilience, compassion, and accomplishments

10. Support Women-Owned Businesses

Women-owned businesses are on the rise, but women still represent the minority of business owners. March is a perfect time to show your solidarity with these tenacious leaders, entrepreneurs, and service providers.

11. Write a Thank You Note to a Woman Who Inspires You

A few simple words to acknowledge how another woman has inspired you can mean a lot to her. Maybe they’re a role model, or a friend who helped you through a tough time. Maybe you just admire certain qualities about them and don’t say so enough. A show of gratitude is a meaningful gesture.

12. Write Yourself a Love Note

While you’re at it, spare a few words of praise for yourself! Women are often our own best critics. Try writing down the things you love about yourself; you deserve to be celebrated!

13. Watch TED Talks for Women

TED is such an incredible learning resource. We love to put on a TED talk in the background while we work or commute. The TED website has a whole curated list of videos about and by women.

14. Support Women Authors and Artists

Give the creative women of the world some well-earned love. We have a few recommended women authors, and a playlist of empowering women musicians to jam to while you work on your love notes.

15. Spread Awareness on Social Media

An easy way to celebrate is to share articles, infographics, inspiring quotes, videos, and other women-centric content on your social media. Feel free to share any of the posts on our Facebook page.