Historic Alexandria invites readers to participate in the celebration of Women’s History Month with virtual and in-person events.

The observance had its origins as a national celebration in 1981, when Congress authorized and requested the president to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.”  After being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.”

Since 1998, Alexandria has hosted events and honored women who have made significant contributions to the community. This year’s celebration features the following events.

Learn more about Women's History in Alexandria.

March 6, 13, 20, and 27, 11 a.m. to noon.
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
105-107 South Fairfax Street
$15 per person. Tickets are available here.

Celebrate the March premiere of Season 6 of Diana Gabaldon’s beloved “Outlander” series with an Outlandish Tour of the Apothecary Museum. Tour this historic apothecary and learn about a few of the herbal medicines – such as cascara and dauco seeds – that were featured in Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” novels. The tour also touches on the role of apothecaries and women in medicine in the 18th century. Recommended for ages 18 and older.

March 24, 7-9 p.m.
Virtual Lecture and Discussion
Free. Register here.

Join the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) for a lecture with Dr. LaNitra Berger on South African artist Irma Stern’s complex life and work. Dr. Berger will discuss her recently published book, “Irma Stern and the Racial Paradox of South African Modern Art: Audacities of Color,” which explores how Stern became South Africa’s most prolific and controversial painter. Stern depicted the lives of people who are of black, Jewish and mixed race origins, while maintaining a neutral position on apartheid. A discussion with Rabbi David Spinrad, a member of the ACRP Steering Committee, will follow the lecture.

March 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
4301 West Braddock Road
Free, no registration required

Learn about women’s dress, skills, and contributions during the Civil War from historical interpreters, who will present talks, displays and demonstrations throughout the day. The interpreters will explore women’s roles on the home front, in factories, in camp, on the battlefield, and in soldiers’ aid societies and relief efforts for both armies during the war. Learn about women who disguised themselves as Union soldiers and the challenges experienced by the hundreds of women who served in the Army. 

Download the tour guide here.
If you would like a free guided tour, please contact:
AlexandriaCelebratesWomen@gmail.com.

Discover where Alexandria’s women of the past and present have lived, worked, and made history on Alexandria Celebrates Women’s new Women’s History Walk! The extensive self-guided* journey is designed to enable history seekers to explore as little or as much as you like at your own pace. The new Walk includes an optional extended tour.

Each Thursday in March, Historic Alexandria’s Facebook and Instagram pages will feature Alexandrian women who have made contributions to the community -- of different ages, races, and eras -- who helped make a difference.