Women’s History Month Events in Philly
Celebrate trailblazers with tours and museum exhibits, support women-owned businesses at markets and food-and-drink events, and more.
The Betsy Ross House is just one Philly landmark celebrating Women’s History Month all through March. / Photograph by Laura Swartz
March is Women’s History Month, so it’s a great time to learn about some of the amazing women who helped shape our nation, challenge our ideals, and effect change in a city and country that’s often inclined to give all the credit to the men. Here, a multitude of ideas for inspiring the next generation of trailblazers, from tours and museum exhibits to events to women-owned businesses worth your visit, and more.
Women’s History Month at the Betsy Ross House
On weekends in March, come to the Betsy Ross House for storytelling on Saturdays and re-enactors on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturdays, the Once Upon A Nation storytellers will share short, interactive, and little-known tales of unsung heroines. Sunday historical encounters include abolitionists, suffragists, businesswomen, and Betsy herself. And on Sunday, March 22nd, there will be a special “Meet the Women of the Betsy Ross House” event where re-enactors are focused on the life and times of the historic home’s occupants — including Betsy at two different stages of her life.
Weekends in March from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street.
“Standing on Her Shoulders” Family Festival at the Art Museum
The Art Museum will host a pay-what-you-wish family festival, inspired by Women’s History Month, including hands-on art activities and a special tour of the “In Her View” exhibit of works by women artists. A can’t-miss activity? Join local artist Martha Rich to design your own postcard to send to an inspirational woman.
March 1st, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Sisterly Love Collective’s Fifth Anniversary Sunday Supper
On International Women’s Day, the Sisterly Love Collective celebrates five years supporting the growth and success of women in hospitality and food with a special dinner at the Four Seasons. There will be a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, a two-course dinner, and a dessert bar — all featuring food from some fantastic local women chefs and restaurateurs (see the lineup here). Plus, a silent auction of unique culinary experiences, like a private cellar tasting at Mural City Cellars! Reserve your spot online.
March 8th, 5-8 p.m., Four Seasons Philadelphia, 1 North 19th Street.
Badass Women’s History Walking Tour
Book a two-hour tour with Beyond the Bell to learn about cool colonial women, change-makers and more pioneers who have made their mark on our city, from forgotten founding mother Hannah Callowhill Penn to lesbian pioneer Barbara Gittings. Tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. for $59 per person. Book your spot online.
Deeply Rooted Trolley Tours by Harriett’s Bookshop
Starfire hosts three-hour, hop-on-hop-off tour that visits Black woman-owned spaces throughout Philadelphia — stops include Philly Mag favorites like Dope Botanicals, Vault + Vine, and Trunc. Book your spot online.
March 21st and 28th, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Harriett’s Bookshop, 258 East Girard Avenue.
Harriett’s Bookshop hosts a trolley tour for Women’s History Month. / Photograph via Visit Philly
Women’s History Month at the Trestle Inn
The Trestle celebrates Women’s History Month with happy-hour dance parties every Friday in March. Expect an all-woman guest DJ lineup (including Lola Kinks, Germanica, Lady Prowl, and Lil Helleion) spinning nothing but vinyl. And all month long, they’ll be offering the Who’s That Lady? cocktail for $9. Want more? Come for Thursday night theater programming, including Studio 45 (March 12th) and Very Good Dance Theatre (March 19th) for nights of women’s comedy and cabaret.
Select dates in March (schedule here), the Trestle Inn, 339 North 11th Street.
Mujeres Making Empanadas
Jezabel’s hosts a hands-on empanada-making workshop in honor of Women’s History Month. Join a communal table and learn to make fillings and dough, then enjoy your treats together. Tickets are available on Resy.
March 13th & 14th, Jezabel’s, 206 South 45th Street.
“We Dissent” Marketplace
Love City Brewing and Home Brewed Events host a market featuring women, femmes, and gender-expansive makers. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Planned Parenthood, Women Organized Against Rape, and Safe Bars.
March 8th, 1-6 p.m., Love City Brewing 1023 Hamilton Street.
Women Mean Business
East Passyunk Avenue host roundtable discussions with local women entrepreneurs about their experiences, challenges, and successes in running and growing their businesses. The event includes opportunities for Q&As and networking, as well as light refreshments by South Philly Co-Op. Tickets are available online.
March 12th, 6-8 p.m., Society Hill Dance Academy, 1919 East Passyunk Avenue.
Women’s History Night at the Museum of the American Revolution
Hosted by the Museum of the American Revolution with The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (NSCDA-PA), this 21+ event includes a screening of NSCDA-PA’s national education project, For the Common Good: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation. Following the screening, there will be a conversation with project producer, writer, and documentarian Nathaniel Popkin, museum director of education and community engagement Adrienne G. Whaley, and historian Karin Wulf. The event also includes a themed reception and after-hours access to the museum.
March 18th, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Museum of the American Revolution, 101 South 3rd Street.
Sister Sunday Market at the Logan Hotel
For their fifth year, the Logan is hosting a market featuring woman-owned businesses in their courtyard. Vendors range from jewelry to self-care products to baby gifts to Philly fan gear. There will also be live music, and food and drink available for purchase. The event is free to attend.
March 29th, The Logan Hotel, 1 Logan Square.
Stories of Science at the Science History Institute
Saturdays in March, the Science History Institute hosts free family-friendly programming highlighting women scientists and their important research. There will be hands-on activities, “Women in Chemistry” tours, storytelling, and more.
Saturdays in March (beginning March 14th), Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut Street.
Women’s History Month at the National Constitution Center
With nearly 100 original artifacts — including Lucretia Mott’s diary, a ballot box used to collect women’s votes in the late 1800s, a letter from jail written by a White House picketer, Pennsylvania’s ratification copy of the 19th Amendment, and various “Votes for Women” ephemera — explore the constitutional arguments and historical context of the fight for suffrage over 70 years at NCC’s The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote exhibit. Additionally, you can see the daily show, “The Four Harriets of History,” make “Votes for Women” suffragette crafts and participate in “Remember the Ladies” trivia. There will also be a special trivia night on March 11th.
March 1st-31st, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street.
