If you want to teach the children in your life about Arizona’s rich women’s history this March, here’s where to head.
March is Women’s History Month, and there’s no better time to start teaching youth about those who paved the way. Several of our country’s female trailblazers are native Arizonans, while others have a strong connection to the state.
This Women’s History Month, take your daughter (or any child, for that matter; women’s history enlightens us all) on an adventure. She will learn Arizona history and get inspired by the women who impacted not only the state but the country as a whole. Your daughter will leave knowing that she can be whoever she wants to be.
Arizona Heritage Center, Tempe
1300 N. College Ave., Tempe
This March, take your daughter to learn about the inspiring women who helped shape Arizona’s history at the Arizona Heritage Center. The museum tells the stories of the diverse group of women who made the state what it is. From exhibits featuring beautiful weavings from Navajo women to those honoring migrants with the Migrant Quilt Project, it’s the perfect place to teach her about the state’s rich history.
There is also an exhibit to Historical League Historymakers like Diana ‘DeDe’ Devine, Sister Adele O’Sullivan, and Sharon Harper. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tickets
Memorial to Pioneer Women, Flagstaff
3 Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff
Arizona’s pioneer history is fascinating, especially for children. They are likely learning all about it in school. However, sometimes the impact made by women can be glossed over in the history books.
To round out her education, take your daughter to the Memorial to Pioneer Women at the Walnut Canyon National Monument. Dedicated in 1915, this monument was created by the Arizona Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). It gives much-earned props to the pioneer woman who contributed to society.
Though the monument has been moved several times throughout history, the sentiment is the same. Women worked hard to make Arizona the great state it is.
DAR notes that the site is only accessible via a guided hike. For more information, contact the visitor center at (928) 526-3367 or visit the Interpretive Programs webpage.
Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix
4725 E Mayo Blvd,. Phoenix
Is your daughter a music lover? If so, the Musical Instrument Museum is the perfect place to take her this Women’s History Month. While the museum isn’t dedicated specifically to women, it honors several influential female musicians. For example, it houses guitars belonging to folk musician Joan Baez, and pays tribute to the music of different cultures. From the history of the flute to the influence music has on our daily lives, there is a lot to learn about.
Your daughter will learn about powerful female musicians and how women around the world use music to empower their cultures. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $20, with $15 tickets for teens and $10 for children 4 to 12. Children under 3 get free entry.
Sandra Day O’Connor House, Tempe
1230 N. College Ave., Tempe
Sandra Day O’Connor broke barriers for women everywhere by becoming the first to sit on the Supreme Court. Lovingly called the “Daughter of Arizona,” O’Connor’s influence in the state continues to be celebrated today.
By visiting her home, you will learn her legacy and leave your daughter encouraged to achieve her wildest dreams. The home was relocated to Tempe Papago Park to allow visitors and preserve the historic place O’Connor once called home.
This home is believed to be the last surviving landmark associated with her life. No matter your political beliefs, O’Connor broke an important glass ceiling by serving on the Supreme Court on an equal playing field.
Frances Willard Munds Monument, Phoenix
Wesley Bolin Plaza, Phoenix
After a successful fundraising campaign in 2023, Arizona’s Women’s Historical Alliance placed a monument to honor famed Arizona suffragette Frances Willard Munds in Wesley Bolin Plaza. The statue recognizes the work Munds did to help the state ratify the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Munds joined the fight in 1899 and became the president of the Arizona Equal Suffrage Association in 1909.
By 1912, she helped put the women’s right to vote on the state ballot, which passed that year. By 1914, she was one of the first women to hold a state Senate seat (and the first in Arizona). Her legacy paved the way for women everywhere, but especially in our state. Taking your daughter here will show her what she is capable of when she puts her mind to something, as Munds did.
Double Butte Cemetery Tour, Tempe
S. 48th St. and W Westcourt Wy., Tempe
Tempe History Museum is holding a free, self-guided tour of Double Butte Cemetery on Sunday, March 8th. Surrounded by history, you’ll learn the stories of the famous women who are buried on the grounds.
Inspiring burials include Josephine Frankenburg, a nurse who helped countless people through the Great Influenza Epidemic, and early Arizona pioneers like Margarett Cummins and Charlotte Josephine Mullen Goodwin, whose homes are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Museum docents will be at each grave, ready to share valuable historical lessons. No reservation is necessary, but the group recommends arriving by noon to get the full graveyard tour experience.
Your daughter is the future, and these incredible Arizona landmarks celebrate women who helped pave the way for her to accomplish her dreams.
