Women’s History Month is a living reminder that Philadelphia has always been shaped by women who build, lead, create, and quietly keep entire communities moving. It’s a month for celebrating the trailblazers whose names are etched into history, but also for showing love to the women doing the daily work right now—chefs and bakers rewriting what “comfort” tastes like, founders turning hospitality into a platform, artists and organizers creating space, and entrepreneurs pushing neighborhoods forward one decision at a time.
In this guide to Women’s History Month 2026, we’re spotlighting the city’s most meaningful ways to participate: charitable menus and cocktails that give back, tours that bring overlooked stories into the light, events that connect women across industries, and local women-led businesses worth supporting with your time, your appetite, and your attention.
Women’s History Month 2026 highlights, sips, and sweet giving
If you want Women’s History Month 2026 to feel like more than a calendar moment, start with the places where celebration and impact share the same table. In the Italian Market, Alice is turning dessert into direct support, spotlighting a purpose-driven Blood Orange Bundt Cake paired with salty caramel and French vanilla ice cream. Throughout Women’s History Month 2026, 15% of proceeds from that seasonal cake will be donated to Women Against Abuse, the Philadelphia nonprofit providing life-saving services, advocacy, and resources for survivors of domestic violence. It’s an offering that makes a dinner out feel grounded in the city we live in—flavor-forward, yes, but also community-first.
Over at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, the charitable toast continues in a way that feels tailor-made for a night near Independence Hall. Red Owl Tavern and Stratus Rooftop Lounge are sharing a signature cocktail for Women’s History Month 2026 called In the Garden, priced at $16, built with Hendrick’s Gin, limoncello, basil, and honey, served in a martini glass and finished with a lemon wheel and basil leaf. A portion of the proceeds benefits Sisterly Love Collective, an organization dedicated to advancing women in food and hospitality through networking, mentorship, and community support. The drink is bright, herbaceous, and quietly intentional—exactly what a month like this should taste like.
And if your Women’s History Month 2026 plans include moving your body as much as moving through menus, the Junior League of Philadelphia is bringing back JLP in Motion, a fitness fundraising series running throughout March. The lineup includes Never Give Up, a bootcamp-style sweat-and-sculpt class on Friday, March. On Saturday, March 7, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Thrive Pilates & Yoga hosts a Pilates class. RippedPHL follows on Thursday, with more sessions scheduled before the series wraps up with 305 Fitness on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 1625 Walnut Street, 2nd floor, for $20.
Proceeds from the series support programs that advance women’s leadership and community impact across Greater Philadelphia, and JLP President Pam Phojanakong defines the spirit of it: “Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the strength, leadership, and collective power of women, and JLP in Motion is a reflection of that spirit… When women invest in themselves and one another, the effects are powerful.”
Women’s History Month 2026 tours and conversations for the curious
One engaging way to experience Women’s History Month 2026 is to step outside the usual loop and learn the city again—through women’s stories that should have always been centered. Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is partnering with Beyond the Bell Tours to highlight the Badass Women’s History Tour, a guided experience that follows the stories of entrepreneurs, doctors, politicians, artists, and activists who helped shape Philadelphia.
Badass Women’s History Tours run daily at 11 a.m., priced at $59 per person, and hotel guests and groups can receive an exclusive 10% discount using a promo code available at booking or check-in. It’s a smart, walkable, story-rich way to spend a morning, and it fits perfectly into a month built around remembrance and recognition.
For founders, operators, and anyone who’s ever tried to build something from scratch, Women’s History Month 2026 also brings a high-value, low-barrier night of insight on East Passyunk. EPABID’s annual Women Mean Business event takes place Thursday, March 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Society Hill Dance Academy. Tickets are $10 and include light refreshments from South Philly Food Co-op, with roundtable discussions led by seasoned women entrepreneurs.
Catherine Lee of Le Virtù leads Building Community. Managing Money is guided by LeeAnn Gephart, EVP Chief Banking Officer at First Citizens Community Bank, alongside Jessica Stipa, Branch Manager of United Savings Bank. Memberships & More features Kelly Adorno of Movement Source and Sarah Crake with Meghan Marshall of Mysore Yoga. Building Your Team is led by Amy Wilson of Milk Jawn and Capri Dessecker of Re/Max Realty.
Perfecting Your Craft comes from Nancy Melchiore of Headhunters Hair Design and Amy Kurzban of The Pottery Spottery. With over half of East Passyunk’s 200-plus businesses being women-owned, this event presents as a living snapshot of how Philly actually works.
Women’s History Month 2026 spotlights the women shaping Philly’s taste
The best Women’s History Month 2026 guides don’t just celebrate headliners—they honor the women doing the daily, essential work of making Philly taste like Philly. Fond’s Chef Jessie Prawlucki-Styer, co-owner and the chef behind its pastry program, is a perfect example of leadership that shows up in the details. Her seasonal desserts at Fond bring serious craft and bright winter energy, including a Citrus Crème Brûlée with Meyer lemon curd cannoli, grapefruit meringue, and pomegranate, a Salted Caramel Cheesecake for $13 layered with pistachio cream, buttery shortbread, and sour cherry coulis, and a Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse for $13 built with mocha ganache, whipped vanilla mascarpone, and cocoa crumble.
At Restaurant Aleksandar in Rittenhouse, Executive Chef Svetlana Alimpijevic stands as one of the city’s defining Eastern European voices, blending tradition with subtle Italian influence and a zero-food-waste mindset that uses every peel, stem, and scrap with intention. Her creativity doesn’t stop at the pass, either—her artwork, previously exhibited with the American Red Cross in Germany, now lives on the restaurant’s walls, turning the dining room into a portrait of the person behind the food.
In West Philly’s beer history, Dock Street Brewery remains a true institution, powered by the formidable mother-daughter duo Rosemarie Certo and Renata Vesey. Rosemarie, co-founder from 1985 and still owner and president, brought artisanal roots from Sicily—olive oil producers and vintners—into one of the earliest chapters of American craft beer. Renata, now Creative Director, leads branding, marketing, business development, and social media, after a lifetime of doing everything from cutting growler labels as a kid to bartending, sales, and event coordination. Their story is a reminder that Women’s History Month 2026 is also about legacy—what’s passed down, built up, and kept alive.
If your month includes a quick hit of flavor downtown, The Concourse at Comcast Center is quietly stacked with women shaping everyday dining. Chef Carolyn Nguyen at Revolution Taco Express brings a cross-cultural lens rooted in Vietnamese heritage and classical training, with scratch cooking, high-quality ingredients, and bold flavors that push past the expected.
Marti Lieberman, co-founder and chef behind Mac Mart, keeps turning mac and cheese into a Philly success story—now extended into Center City through Mini Mac Mart, while also uplifting other small businesses through a rotating local lineup. Lisa Wilson, chef and owner of Jamaican Jerk Hut, continues a heritage-driven mission with authentic Caribbean techniques and spices, now in a new chapter with the reopening in The Concourse at Comcast Center.
Out at Gather Food Hall at Schuylkill Yards, Women’s History Month 2026 is a reason to show up hungry. Pidor Yang of Sahbyy Food—also President of the Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park—built a celebrated concept rooted in family, heritage, and joy, with signature pepper chips and the award-winning Cambodian Lemongrass Cheesesteak. At the Gather location, the menu brings it to life with the Cambodian Cheesesteak with pickled papaya and pepper chips, coconut cream Cambodian bolognese, fried rice plates, wings, and Bah’Kong rolls.
Brizna Rojas of Mucho Peru brings more than 20 years of experience and a story shaped by reinvention—after relocating to the U.S. in 2016 and turning unexpected job loss into opportunity, she co-founded Mucho Peru and built momentum through pop-ups before landing this first brick-and-mortar at Gather, serving savory empanadas, citrus-bright specialties, hearty classics like lomo saltado, plus traditional sweets and drinks.
Melissa Walter of Love City Brewing, with a background as a licensed therapist, she emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability in leadership, fostering a positive environment for staff and customers alike. Love City Brewing values relationships and prioritizes quality in its craft beer, aiming to demonstrate what a responsible small business can be. The brewery believes in the simplicity of beer as a unifying drink, promoting a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can connect over good beer.
Turks Head Wines in West Chester, an elevated tasting room and wine lounge, helmed by President and Founder, Allison Owen. After leaving the corporate world, she embraced her passion for wine as a Winery Owner, Level 3 Sommelier, and Certified Wine Instructor. Turks Head Wines sources, produces, and bottles handcrafted Bordeaux-style wines from Napa, California, offering a selection that highlights the unique flavors of various American Viticultural Areas.
Ashley Huston’s DreamWorld Bakes specializes in custom cakes and seasonal treats. Inspired by her travels and diverse culinary traditions, Huston uses unique ingredients in her creations. Located at 2400 Coral Street, DreamWorld Bakes focuses on elevating desserts with locally sourced ingredients for all occasions.
Beyond Philly proper, Sherri Daugherty’s boutique hospitality collection in New Hope—Stella of New Hope, Ghost Light Inn, and Carriage House of New Hope—shows what women-led community building looks like in real estate, design, and guest experience. Her story spans the Carriage House opening in 2016, the Ghost Light Inn expansion three years later with 12 riverfront rooms, and Stella of New Hope, the on-site restaurant named after her beloved one-eared rescue dog, Stella, with seasonal, locally sourced menus that evolve alongside the region.
And for a destination where food, whiskey, and live music intersect, The Twisted Tail’s co-owner and operator, Codi Reilly, represents women-led hospitality at full volume. Raised around strong female restaurant owners, she’s grown a genuine whiskey passion through tastings, distillery visits, and storytelling that connects producers to guests, one pour at a time.
Women’s History Month 2026 sights and sounds
Kicking off on March 1, 2026, East Fall’s Fallser Club’s Women Rising lineup promises an exciting array of programming that highlights the extraordinary contributions of women throughout history and in contemporary culture. Key events include the thought-provoking documentary “Lady Parts,” which will be screened on the opening day, followed by a Q&A session offering attendees a chance to engage with the filmmakers and delve deeper into the themes presented. The musical offerings are equally compelling, featuring Acoustic Sessions with Carla Gamble & Friends on March 6, and a heartfelt tribute to the iconic Lilith Fair on March 7. These events serve not only as entertainment but also as a celebration of female empowerment and artistic expression.
Among the standout features of this month is the fine artist Anne Pollard James, showcasing her captivating work titled “The Delight Project.” Attendees can look forward to an insightful Q&A with James on March 19, where she will discuss her artistic journey and the inspiration behind her projects. The March concert calendar is brimming with talent, spotlighting diverse performances such as the traditional Irish band Dervish (March 10), a vibrant Live Desi Vibe with Sudha Sai & Rushil (March 13), and a tribute to Amy Winehouse with Su Teears (March 21).
For film enthusiasts, the spotlight continues with screenings of “Girl Unbound” on March 22, along with performances by emerging artists Fawziyya Heart and Alice Wallace. The month culminates in a collaborative showcase called Singer Songwriters in the Round on March 26, featuring Gina Kaz, Madisun Bailey, and Nicole Zell, providing a platform for new voices to shine.
If you want to make Women’s History Month 2026 feel complete, put all of this on your calendar: eat with intention, drink with purpose, learn the city through women’s stories, and show up for the founders and builders shaping Philadelphia every single day.
Images: Kscope Media, Brooke Marsh, Gab Bonghi, Coleman Yunger
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