March is Women’s History Month, a time when we celebrate the contributions women have made to the U.S. as well as recognize the achievements women have made over the course of history. And from sipping on delicious specialty cocktails while supporting a great non-profit to exploring women-focused museum exhibitions, there’s tons of ways to celebrate Women’s History Month across NYC.
Here’s where you can go to learn about and support the extraordinary women who had an undeniable impact on New York City:
Celebrate Women’s History Month at NYPL
The New York Public Library is celebrating Women’s History Month with plenty of free events, resources, and recommended reading all month long.
The programs aim to celebrate the incredible women who’ve helped build the NYPL, which include all kinds of book discussion groups, film screenings, performances, trivia sessions, arts and crafts, plus more.
Some events to particularly bookmark include music performances and author talks at the Library for the Performing Arts, a weekly talk about women in finance, and collection talks at the Vartan Gregorian Center.
They’re all free and are happening across different NYPL venues.
Where: New York Public Library
Ring in Women’s History Month at the Museum of the City of New York
The Museum of the City of New York is celebrating Women New Yorkers – from engineers to designers – who left their mark on the city with awesome programming on weekends in March.
Both children ages 5-12 and their grownups are invited to drop-in and experience various Women’s History Month programming which will include:
- Learning about how Emily Warren Roebling engineered the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and creating your own mini bridge to take home
- Exploring the different patterns of Bermudian American designer Ruby Bailey and design your own paper doll
- Learning about the role Sara Kierstede played in the colony of New Amsterdam and create a Delft Tile
- Embark on a themed scavenger hunt and explore the stories and contributions of Women New Yorkers in the museum’s galleries
It’s happening every Saturday and Sunday in March from 11 am – 4 pm! As a reminder, New York residents are pay-as-you-wish and children 18 and under are free.
Where: Museum of the City of New York (1220 5th Ave)
Head to The Met for “The Future Is Female”
On Saturday, March 8th, International Women’s Day, pianist Sarah Cahill will put on “The Future is Female,” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art beginning at 2pm in The Met’s European Paintings 1250-1800 galleries. She’ll do a deep dive into music of various centuries and use gorgeous artwork to accompany her playing. Learn more on the Museum’s website.
Attend the Women’s Jazz Festival at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
The New York Public Library continues its annual traditional of the Women’s Jazz Festival at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture where they’ll feature some of the “best-known and emerging talent by women in jazz today.”
This year’s featured artists include vocalist-composers Soni, Sarah Elizabeth Charles, and renowned saxophonist Camille Thurman.
Where: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (515 Malcolm X Blvd)
When: March 10, 17, 24
Embrace womanhood with something sweet from Baked By Melissa
Baked By Melissa sweets need no introduction, but the shop’s latest offering is worth noting. On Friday, March 7th, one day before International Women’s Day, anyone who identifies as a woman is able to snag three free bite-sized cupcakes from any location, no purchase necessary. You’ll want to book it, though; the offer is only available while treats last, and they’re likely going to go quickly! If you miss out on the freebie, there’s still a way to participate in the sweet celebration: snag a 25-pack from Baked By Melissa and Girls With Impact ($37). For every box sold, $5 will go towards the organization that is helping the next generation of female leaders.
See the exhibit “Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore, the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection” at New-York Historical Society
Catch this engaging exhibit at New-York Historical Society throughout March, which showcases garments and accessories from everyday American women throughout history. Drawing from the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection, the archive dives into the different outfits and looks that tie into the history, economics, and real stories of women over the past two centuries.
Everything from Sylvia Plath’s WWII-era Girl Scouts uniform to a homemade Quinceañera dress from the 1980s is there, shedding light on how women have influenced and adapted societal changes through clothing and self-expression.
Where: New-York Historical Society (170 Central Park West)
Stop by the Women’s History Month Bar Pop-Up at RT60, Hard Rock Hotel New York
Renowned mixologist, actor, activist, and entrepreneur Joanna Carpenter will be behind the bar mixing up cocktails at RT60, the rooftop bar & lounge atop Hard Rock Hotel New York, in celebration of Women’s History Month on March 6th.
Where: 159 W 48th St
Attend Brunch & Learn at The Noortwyck
The Noortwyck is hosting an inaugural Brunch & Learn event on March 15th to celebrate the impactful women shaping the future of food! Guests will be able to enjoy a curated prix-fixe brunch, featuring some of The Noortwyck’s signature dishes and champagne courtesy of J.Lassalle.
Plus, a conversation with The Noortwyck’s own Pastry Chef Ileene Cho, Bon Appétit Senior Test Kitchen Editor Shilpa Uskokovic, cookbook author and culinary tastemaker Romilly Newman, Banh by Lauren Owner Lauren Tran and Elly Ross, the creator of the viral candy brand Lil Sweet Treat.
Reservations/tickets cost $70 and you can reserve your spot here.
When: Saturday, March 15th, 12 pm – 2 pm
Where: 289 Bleecker St
Enjoy Women’s History Month at The Paley Museum
The Paley Museum is celebrating WHM with a new installment of the Conversations with the Paley Curators series. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Wonder Woman TV series, there will be a conversation with Paley curator Allison Kraft about the history of the strong Justice League character and her impact on women characters in television.
There will also be a month-long series of planned screenings geared toward both adults and children, including The Carol Burnett Show, Gilmore Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Doc McStuffins, Dora the Explorer, and more.
Where: 25 W 52nd St
Enjoy Women’s History Month programming at TALEA
This beloved women-owned NYC brewery, TALEA, is hosting all sorts of WHM programming aimed at uplifting the community over a pint! Over the five locations founded by Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland, the spaces will feature discussion panels, workshops and classes featuring the owners about various topics.
Some of the events range from a candid conversation on fertility facts to a workshop on creating your own business plan. See the full calendar here for all of the events happening!
Where: TALEA (all 5 locations)
Dine at women-owned restaurants in NYC
We love celebrating the women behind some of New York City’s most delicious restaurants, and what better time to do so than during Women’s History Month? A constantly growing female front is turning tables and there’s no shortage of restaurants owned and operated by female powerhouses. Check out some of our favorite spots below and even more here.
- Reyna (11 E 13th St)
- Baar Baar (13 E 1st St)
- HAAM (234 Union Ave, Brooklyn)
- Cecily (80 Franklin St, Brooklyn)
Attend a march in Washington Square Park
Women’s March will host an event on Saturday, March 8th from 11am to 1pm, marching from Washington Square Park to Union Square, all while joining together in support of women’s rights, bodies, and voices. Learn more on the Women’s March website.
Check out the connection between Women’s History and NYC Parks
Explore New York City parks named for women, public art by women, and park spaces that feature monuments that honor women’s history. Learn about these incredible women and the parks that tell their inspiring stories. Learn more about all the ways women are tied into NYC’s park history here.
Where: Various locations