Celebrate National Women’s Month in Massachusetts

Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

Discover the State’s Trailblazing Predecessors and Support Today’s Woman-Owned Businesses During March and Beyond

In Massachusetts, we take pride in celebrating the contributions of women every day of the year, however, we don’t mind shining an even brighter spotlight on those who’ve made (or are making) an indelible impact in honor of March’s designation as Women’s History Month. There are countless ways to honor women in the Commonwealth – we’ve compiled a few ways to celebrate.

A History Lesson: Read Up on Historic Women Trailblazers of Massachusetts

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) curated a digital booklet highlighting contributions made by women in the Commonwealth over the past three centuries. While originally released to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote, the content never goes out of style. Read about more than 70 remarkable women whose contributions to the state, the nation, and the world are unparalleled and who are recognized as “Trailblazers” in their fields. These amazing women have strong ties to Massachusetts and comprise a spirited list representing suffragists, social activities, abolitionists, culinary experts, teachers, politicians, scientists, athletes, artists, poets, and more.

Women featured in the booklet include Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Louisa May Alcott, Julia Child, Amelia Earhart to name a few. For even more, download a map of Women’s History Attractions across the Commonwealth.

Explore Fascinating Exhibits and Screenings

If you find yourself in Boston, add the Senate Lobby at the State House to your list of must-see spots for the Notable Women of Boston display by Ellen Lanyon. The large-scale mural depicts nine women – Anne Hutchinson, Phillis Wheatley, Sister Ann Alexis, Lucy Stone, Mary Baker Eddy, Ellen Richards, Mary Morton Kehew, Anne Sullivan, and Melnea Cass, who were important contributors to American, and particularly Boston, culture.

North of Boston, visitors and locals alike are invited to partake in a Women’s History Month Celebration on Tuesday, March 28th at the Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, MA. The event features an exhibit, “Tower of Strength: Black Women of the Suffrage Movement” presented by North Shore Juneteenth Association. There will also be a screening of Suffrage100MA’s film, “The Fight for Women’s Suffrage: Looking Back, Marching Forward.”

Take Part in Walking Tours + Immersive Activities

Perfect for history buffs, activists, or those with a penchant for haunted locales need not look further than Salem, Massachusetts. Book a History Witch Walking Tour. Guests can choose between a feminist view of 1692 tour or personalize their guided walk based on their personal interests.

Boston Women’s Heritage Trail recommends multiple trails such as The Ladies Walk, which was designed in honor of the Boston Women’s Memorial celebrating the lives of Abigail Adams, Lucy Stone, and Phillis Wheatley.

Discover Museums + Galleries

Just in time to celebrate, Hopkinton Center of the Arts is introducing a new art gallery show Break Away, celebrating women’s empowerment in honor of International Women’s Month, opens March 8th and continues through April 20th. Located near the start of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, the “Break Away” exhibition will feature two formidable female artists: Bobbi Gibb and Chelsea Steele.

Sticking around Boston? Make sure to stop by the Museum of Science to enjoy a month-long celebration spotlighting influential women in STEM fields. A special weekend of note takes place on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19 with keynote presentation and speakers including Pariss Chandler, Founder and CEO of Black Tech Pipeline; Award-Winning Changemaker, Entrepreneur, and Speaker; Kris Dorsey, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University; and Samantha Glassner, Mechanical Engineering PhD Student at Virginia Tech (researching in the FASER Lab). Reserve a ticket directly here.

Get to know one of America’s most important artist-printmakers of the 19th century during a visit to the Heritage Museum and Gardens: Who Who was Fanny Palmer exhibition. During the month of March, visitors can learn about a trailblazer in the art world, Frances Flora (Fanny) Bond Palmer.

For additional inspiration on how to explore Massachusetts through a different lens this month, explore an up-to-date guide compiled by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.