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5 Actions You Can Take To Celebrate Women’s History Month

So today marks the end of Women’s History Month. Some of us may have celebrated by exploring on its history, or being aware of issues women still face today, and others by raising awareness through social media, or by handing out women’s empowerment stickers and pins. We may have also written a note to the special women in our lives. And some of us may have silently acknowledged it.

As the month draws to a close, we wanted to reflect on the significance of these celebrations and share how can you translate it into empowering messages, lessons, and actions that you can take today and beyond the month of March.

At InnovatorsBox®, we’ve used our platform to celebrate women innovator voices, while highlighting the importance of showcasing diversity within women’s stories.

Every woman has unique challenges, skills, and perspectives based on many other aspects of their identity — race, disabilities, economic background, etc.

As a minority woman entrepreneur, there are a few, unique challenges that I face in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which is why it’s so important to highlight diversity when we talk about women empowerment.

Of course, we can’t properly celebrate Women’s History Month without first understanding the historical context that takes into account the diversity and complexity of the woman experience in the U.S. over time.

"It’s so important to highlight diversity when we talk about women empowerment."
Monica H. Kang Tweet

Understanding Women’s History Month In 3 Bullet-Points

Women’s History Month is only a few decades old – it was enacted by Congress in 1981 and grew out of a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history and society organized by a Californian school district in 1978.
Women’s History Month Is As Much About The Future As It Is The Past – While the core purpose is to celebrate the often overlooked contributions of women, it is also a chance to reflect on the challenges we still face – from the disparate effects of COVID-19 to income inequality.
The National Women’s History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women’s History Month – The 2021 theme is a continuation of 2020’s: “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced,” recognizing the battle for women’s suffrage.

It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the celebrations and innovations at the heart of Women’s History Month. Innovation and creativity are the engines of human progress. But you don’t have to be an infamous woman inventor like Marie Curie, or an award-winning creative mind like Lady Gaga, to make a difference.

There are daily steps we can all take as innovators to make a difference, and celebrate Women’s History beyond March.

What Actions Can I Take Today To Celebrate Women’s History Month?

Getting actionable is all about intentionality and authenticity. You don’t have to do everything on this list to make a difference, it’s just a starting point for you to start integrating women innovators into your daily life.

1. Read Women Authors

It’s often uncommon, especially for men, to seek out books written by female authors, and I want to start by emphasizing that they are simply amazing books and worth anyone’s time. And it’s also necessary today to encourage everyone to read them and to shine a light on female authors.

Over the years, as I became an author, I became more intentional to not only find amazing books by female authors, but also to celebrate them when I find them.

My personal recommendations of innovative, women authors and their books:

The Adventures of Women in Tech by Alana Karen, on how you build a meaningful career in tech
Find Your Fire by Terri B. Williams, on how you start movements
How to be an inclusive leader by Jennifer Brown, on how you can build an inclusive workplace
51 Questions on Social Entrepreneurship by Neetal Parekh, on thriving in social entrepreneurship
Rethink Creativity by Monica H. Kang, on building a creative culture and life at work
Dare to Lead, and many others, by Brené Brown, on courage, vulnerability at work and life
House on Fire, and five others by Jenn T. Grace, on rethinking your voice, story through many books
The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee, on cherishing values from youth
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker, on creating purposeful space and gatherings
The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo, on how to be a purposeful manager
Swimming in Hong Kong by Stephanie Han, on the power of fiction and writing
Becoming by Michelle Obama, reminding us we’re always in progress

2. Listen To Women Podcasters

Podcasts are a powerful way to hear different points of view, especially on the go. It makes me more curious and it makes me wonder how I can be a better ally and wiser leader as I learn more about the unknowns through these stories.

Don’t forget to leave a review of the podcasts that you really like!

Here’s my personal recommendations of innovative, woman podcasters:

Tiffany Yu on diversity in disability
Minji Chang on diversity in entertainment
Tameka Salis Montgomery on entrepreneurial-minded parenting
Kim Bryden on rethink food supply chain
Sheena Yap Chan on Asian female voices
Jenn T. Grace on how to write your book
Kimberly Y Moore on female entrepreneurship
Niala Boodhoo on the latest news updates
Alice Hu on mental well being & spirituality
Priyanka Komala on Asian voices

And here are the two podcasts by InnovatorsBox® to reimagine how we thrive at work together:

Curious Monica, candid conversations with thriving innovators
Dear Workplace, your safe place to untangle workplace questions.

3. Buy Women-Owned Products

It’s no secret that the entrepreneurial world has a lot of gender inequalities. Setting the intentionality so shopping woman-owned, especially minority-women owned businesses, can make a large difference. Chances are you’re already buying from one, and if you are, be sure and leave a review or even simply share their products on social media.

Here Are My Favorite Woman-Owned Products:

SheaYeleen Skin Care Products by Rahama Wright
Photo & Video Production by Elizabeth Giorgi
Eleni’s New York Cookies & Gifts by Eleni
Bixby & Co. Chocolates by Kate Mcaleer
Liberty Print Co. Prints by Monica Sumner
Go Aunt Flow menstrual products by Caron Ng
Slick Chicks underwear by Helya Mohammadian

We also have our very own InnovatorsBox® Card Games to spark creativity.

4. Invest In Women-Owned Services

Don’t forget about the other side of commerce – services. Supporting the female economy is one of the best ways you can make a difference.

My personal recommendations of innovative, women service providers:

Go Together Inc. transport services by Kimberely Y. Moore
Marketing services by Amanda Ma
Safety Solutions by Pamela Islom
Wellness Consultant Services by Alice Hu
Workforce Solution Services by Nina Vaca
Virtual Events by Summer Sepulveda
Publishing Services by Jenn T. Grace
Diversity Coach, Towanna Burrous

Also learn more about the myriad of services we offer at InnovatorsBox®.

5. Spread Women Stories

Hiring women speakers for your events (both within your organization and outside) is a great way to hear different perspectives and showcase women stories.

My recommendations for innovative, women speakers:

Tiffany A. Yu, on intersectional disability
Ashley T. Brundage, on equity, inclusion, and belonging
Jeanie Chang, on mental health
Shelly Bell, on serial entrepreneurship & business strategy
Terri Broussard Williams, on government relations and social impact
Candace Waterman, on business growth and woman leadership
Lili Gangas, on inclusivity in tech industries
Antionette Carroll, on racial and health inequality
Laura Emiko Soltis, on human rights education and social movement

As I leave you with these resources from some of the stellar women, I would like to remind that, whether or not we’re celebrating Women’s History Month, we can find ways to incorporate women’s history into things that we already do. Especially those with marginalized identities so our efforts carry an even bigger impact.

Recognize the women (or other fellow women) in your office. Collaborate with them. Listen to them. Help create a seat at the table. Encourage their voices. And most importantly, be intentional about it.

Here’s 🥂 to women all around the world!

About the Author

Monica H. Kang

Monica H. Kang, Founder, and CEO of InnovatorsBox® and Author of Rethink Creativity is transforming today’s workforce through the power of creativity. She helps companies rethink culture, leadership, and team development by making creativity practical and relatable regardless of industry or job title. She has worked with clients worldwide including Fortune 500 companies, higher education, government, and nonprofits. Monica’s work has been recognized by The White House, Ashoka Changemakers, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Prior to InnovatorsBox®, Monica was a nuclear nonproliferation policy expert. She holds an M.A. from SAIS Johns Hopkins University in Strategic Studies and International Economics and a B.A. from Boston University.