Women’s History Month: Celebrating Seattle Women
Ideas and inspiration for Women’s History Month and beyond
SEATTLE – Women make Seattle the place it is – a place where inclusion is cherished, differences are honored, people help those in need, and progress is made. From Belle Alexander, one of the first African Americans to work at Boeing starting in 1943; to Bertha Knight Landes; who in 1926 was not only the first woman mayor of Seattle but also the first woman mayor of a major American city; to Ramona Bennett, elected as Puyallup Tribal Chairwoman in 1971 and activist fighting for indigenous fishing rights; to Thelma Dewitty, one of the first African American educators hired by the Seattle Public Schools in 1947 and served as president of Seattle’s NAACP chapter – Seattle’s history would not be what it is today without extraordinary women.
Today, there are so many women who are making Seattle a better place and making strides in their respective fields. These names include like soccer player and activist Megan Rapinoe, Ijeoma Oluo, who wrote the best-seller “So You Want to Talk About Race,” and Justice Mary Yu, the state’s first Asian, first Latina, and first member of the LGBTQ community to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court.
There are several notable organizations in Seattle that make a difference for women.
- Seattle-based Mary’s Place helps women and families move out of homelessness into more stable situations. For example, their Women’s Day Center in downtown Seattle provides meals, showers and access to resources for over one hundred women each day and has been serving the community for more than 20 years.
- Dignity for Divas provides help for women experiencing homelessness by providing Diva Survival Kits which include self-care essentials and hosts skill-building programming.
- Women in Film Seattle is a nonprofit organization that is committed to advancing women in the film, digital, and media industry. The organization offers events, programs, and screenings for members.
- The Seattle Area Chapter of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) creates a welcoming environment to advance the careers of women in science and technology. Programs are held monthly and are accessible to all.
This Women’s History Month, take a moment to learn more about some of the women who have shaped Seattle history – and support businesses, organizations, and events that benefit women.
Here are some events in Seattle in March celebrating women:
- On Thursday, March 2 from 5:30 p.m., celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month with “Gold. Glamour. Gourmet.” at Eventide Lake Union. Hosted by Let’s Talk Womxn, the event includes tastings from Foodz Catering, Musang, Lisa Dupar and other women-run businesses. Enjoy drag performances by Shay Fox, Diamond SJ James and Versace Doll. The event is emceed by Shay Fox with beats by DJ Mixxtress. For tickets, go here.
- On Thursday, March 2 from 7:30 p.m. in person and online, Rainier Arts Center in Seattle hosts Kate Baer, and author and poet who is known for “What Kind of Woman,” her first collection of poetry that examines the many roles contemporary women play. Her latest work, “And Yet,” explores friendship, love, loss, and motherhood. For tickets, go here.
- On Saturday, March 4 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Ladd & Lass Brewing in Seattle, enjoy a beer and cheese pairing class. The event pairs cheese made by women with beers made by Ladd & Lass for a night of pairing techniques, history, and more. For tickets, go here.
- On Wednesday, March 8, International Women’s Day, join The Moth and the Gates Foundation Discovery Center for an evening of powerful personal stories sharing diverse perspectives on motherhood hosted by media personality and equality activist Adelle Onyango. For tickets, go here.
- On Tuesday, March 14 from 7 p.m., Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park hosts an author talk with local author Andrea Dunlop, joined in conversation by Laurie Frankel. Dunlop’s book, “Women Are the Fiercest Creatures,” is a wildly addictive novel where women, tech, and family relationships collide. To register for this free event, go here.
- Urban Connoisseurs hosts several women winemakers for the Women in Wine Celebration Dinner on March 26 at 5 p.m. at Osteria la Spiga in Seattle. The winemakers include Nicole Camp of LaShelle Wines in Woodinville, Paula Harrell of P. Harrel Wines in San Francisco, and Kim Lewis of Ole’ Orleans Wines in New Orleans. Chef Sabrina Tinsley, co-owner of Osteria La Spiga, will provide dishes to pair with the wines. For tickets, go here.
There are a number of women and women-owned restaurants among this year’s James Beard Foundation national semifinalists. These include Renee Erickson for Outstanding Chef; Copine (co-owned by Jill Kinney) for Outstanding Restaurant; and Yenvy and Quynh Pham of Phở Bắc, The Boat and Phocific Standard Time for Outstanding Restaurateur.
Here are some ideas on women-owned businesses in and around Seattle you should consider supporting this month and every month. For a comprehensive resource, go to The Intentionalist (Visit Seattle partner.) And, be sure to check out one of the 250+ women-owned independent businesses at Pike Place Market, including The Pink Door, Lands of Origin and Constantino’s Produce.
To check out content featuring strong women leaders in Seattle, go to Visit Seattle’s SEAforSHE webpage.
About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.