Celebrate Women's History Month at the Library
Women’s History Month got its start in the United States in 1978 as a week-long celebration, timed to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8.
In 1987, thanks in part to lobbying by the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA), the U.S. Congress designated March officially as Women’s History Month. (Read the 2026 edition of NWHA’s magazine featuring women working to shape a sustainable future).
Each March, the Library marks Women’s History Month with activities such as films, guest speakers, recommended reading lists, and more.
If you’d like to brush up on your poetry skills — with a side of women’s suffrage — visit the Ruiz Branch on March 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for Poetry as Protest. This writing class, taught by a graduate student in UMKC’s MFA program in Creative Writing and Media Arts, breaks down political poems and activism within poetry.
Women haven’t always been included in the history books. But everyone has a story to tell. Wednesdays at the Plaza Branch from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., participate in an interactive writing workshop celebrating perzines, handmade magazines featuring personal memoir writing.
Do you like video games? If you’re between 12 and 18, stop by the Bluford Branch from 2 to 4 p.m. for the Sunday Game Spotlight. This month, we’re featuring Portal, a creative first-person puzzle game by Kim Swift.
All Women’s History Programming
Check out more Women’s History Month events
- March 7: For The Love of Women: The History and Longevity of The Romance Genre
Mini author fair and discussion between Sierra Simone, a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and Carley Morton, a dedicated romance fan who owns Under the Cover, about the history and lasting appeal of romance. Noon, Central Library. RSVP here. - March 8: Redefining Sarah Rector, the Richest Black Girl in America
In 1913, Sarah Rector’s federally allotted land proved oil-rich, making her the wealthiest Black girl in the country. Kansas City historian Diane Euston interviews Rector’s descendants. 2 p.m., Central Library. RSVP here. - March 26: 'Reproductive Wrongs: A Short History of Bad Ideas About Women'
Translator and cultural historian Sarah Ruden is best known for her translations of classic Greek and Roman texts. Through that work, she traced the origins of the most harmful ideas about women — ideas that still plague half of the world’s population today. 5:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m., Central Library. RSVP here.
Upcoming Women’s History Programming
Films and Documentaries
The streaming video service Kanopy lets you enjoy, among other things, works directed by female filmmakers, movies about women who've made headlines, and documentaries that highlight gender representation in media. Simply create an account with your Library card.
Browse the film collection in Kanopy
American History in Video has the largest and richest collection of videos available online for the study of American history, including archival footage, newsreels, documentaries, interviews, and commercials with a focus on women’s history. You can access it with your Library card.