Women's History Month 2026 kicks off with “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future”
February 26, 2026 2:29 PM
by Barbara Jacobson
*Updated March 11, 2026*
Since 1987, the month of March has been federally recognized as Women's History Month, with all Americans encouraged to observe the month, and acknowledge and honor the achievements of women. The city of Santa Monica’s Women’s History Month Committee is excited to share community events throughout March that honor and celebrate the achievements of women of all identities. This year’s events embrace the city’s variation on the 2026 theme Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.
Women, especially those from marginalized communities, have been impacted by a plethora of global challenges including climate change, economic insecurity, healthcare disparities, lack of reliable childcare, and threats to democratic participation. Women are leaders and champions of solutions to these complex issues. This year’s theme on sustainability goes beyond environmental sustainability to also include financial sustainability, community resilience, leadership, and intergenerational equity. A sustainable society also includes social and environmental justice for all.
The month kicked off with a Women’s
History Month Proclamation at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Watch the video of the proclamation here.
Check out
these Women’s History Month events throughout March:
Julia Morgan Legacy Day
Sunday, March 1, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Annenberg Community Beach
House (415 Pacific Coast Hwy)
The Annenberg Community Beach House and Santa Monica Conservancy present a
program honoring Julia Morgan, California’s first licensed female architect
whose work helped shape the historic heart of our site. There will be an “Eclectic
by Design” panel hosted by Morgan expert, Dr. Karen McNeill. Afterwards, join
for a tour of the Julia Morgan–designed Beach House pool.
Take & Make Kit for Kids: Women's History Month
March 2 – 31, Main Library (601 Santa
Monica Blvd.)
This take-home kit includes supplies to create and personalize a family tree to
highlight women in your life. Available at the Main Library Youth Services desk
and at all branch locations, while supplies last. For ages 4 & up.
Julia Keefe Indigenous Jazz Ensemble at BroadStage
Sunday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., BroadStage at SMC
Performing Arts Center (1310 11th St.)
Experience the charisma, passion, and purpose of the Julia
Keefe Indigenous Jazz Ensemble—a powerhouse group of Native and Indigenous jazz
musicians from across Indian Country. Led by Julia Keefe, an emerging
trailblazer in jazz and a pioneering composer, arranger, conductor, and
vocalist, the ensemble honors the often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous
jazz artists to this one true American art form.
Santa Monica Pier
Ferris Wheel Lighting Ceremony in Honor of International Women’s Day
Sunday, March 8, Dusk – 11:35 p.m., Santa Monica Pier (380 Santa Monica Pier)
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier celebrates Women’s
History Month with a special lighting of the Pacific Wheel on March 8,
International Women’s Day. The solar-powered Ferris wheel will feature purple,
green and white lighting, the colors of International Women’s Day that signify
justice, dignity, and hope.
This special lighting event will take place on the evening of Saturday, March 8. The Ferris wheel lights can be seen from dusk (around 6-7 PM) until 11:35 PM each evening. Enjoy watching the light program online at pacpark.com/live.
Women Who Shape Santa Monica 2026
Wednesday, March 18, 6:30 p.m., Brookdale Ocean House (2107 Ocean Ave.)
The League of Women Voters of Santa Monica hosts an annual event in honor of Women's History Month, celebrating women who made a significant contribution to the city of Santa Monica.
Power of Women Leadership Luncheon
Friday, March 20, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Regent Santa Monica Beach Hotel (1700 Ocean Ave.)
Enjoy dynamic discussion around leadership, top-notch comedy and entertainment, an inspiring and motivational speaker, awards to outstanding women, and a champagne toast.
Free Tree Distribution and Orchard Planting
Saturday, March 21, 9 – 11 a.m., Main Street Community Garden (2318 Main St.)
Join this monthly community breakfast and plant fruit trees in the community orchard! Whether you’re interested in getting your hands dirty and helping get these trees in the ground or are just interested in seeing what’s growing this time of year, warm pancakes and warmer smiles are always on the menu.
Interested in planting a fruit tree at your residence? A small number of bare root trees are available for Santa Monica residents, including Asian Pear, Snow Queen Nectarine, Sweet Bagel Peach, and Braeburn Apple. Please submit your name and a photo of where you’d plant the tree if you receive one here. Also, enjoy Garden Bingo for kids, and anyone who brings their own plates/cups/utensils will be entered to win a brand-new soil knife!
Cyanotype (Sun-Printing) Workshop
Saturday, March 21, 1:30 – 3 p.m., Main Library (601 Santa Monica Blvd.)
Come handprint a cyanotype photo from scratch with Camera Obscura Artist-in-Residence Sara Hassan Khani. Cyanotype is a printing method that uses a light-sensitive mixture and sunlight to make deep blue images. Sara Hassan Khani is an Iranian-born multidisciplinary artist and educator based in Long Beach, California, whose work spans drawing, painting and printmaking. Her practice explores memory, displacement and the power dynamics embedded in fragile architectural spaces.
Making Herstory at City Hall: A Candid Conversation with Santa Monica's Women Mayors
Saturday, March 28, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Main Library (601 Santa Monica Blvd.)
Celebrate Women’s History Month with a panel of Santa
Monica’s women mayors, featuring current Mayor Caroline Torosis and former
mayors Gleam Davis, Judy Abdo, Lana Negrete, and Pam O’Connor. They’ll share
their personal stories, offer advice for women looking to succeed in local
politics, and answer audience questions.
float. Pleasure
Saturday, March 28, 3 – 6 p.m., Camera Obscura Art Lab (1450 Ocean Ave.)
Join the city for the first public sharing of "float. Pleasure", a durational meditation with performance artist Marjani Forté-Saunders. Designed for audiences to come and go, this live happening unfolds inside a spatially composed, real-time sonic environment built from referential, found, and soul archives by sound designer Everett Saunders. This is an Art of Recovery Microgrant Program.
The Santa Monica Public Library has also compiled staff picks for the month, for a variety of audiences, and we encourage you to check them out!
We look forward to seeing you at this year’s events!
Authored By
Barbara Jacobson
Transportation Demand Program Manager