Rooted and Rising: Honoring the Women We Built Upon This Women’s History Month

As March draws to a close, we’re wrapping up Women’s History Month. While celebrating women is something we do 365 days a year, this month gives us a specific, intentional space to reflect on the giants whose shoulders we stand upon.

This year, our theme is simple yet profound: We are the women that came before us.

It’s easy to think of history as something in a textbook, but history is alive. It’s in our DNA, our stories, our resilience, and our capacity for joy. The women who walked this earth before us blazed trails not just so we could follow them, but so we could start from a higher place.

In that spirit, we want to honor an eclectic, powerful mix of women from history, culture, and mythology who embody the strength, creativity, and spirit that flow through us all.

The Powerhouses of Our Time

We start with the trailblazers who are redefining what’s possible right now. These women show us how to own our power, disrupt the status quo, and tell our stories with authenticity.

Queen Latifah: The Definition of "Queen" Dana Owens, known to the world as Queen Latifah, didn’t just enter the hip-hop scene; she demanded respect. At a time when women were often sidelined in the genre, she used her platform to speak about respect, strength, and women's rights with tracks like "U.N.I.T.Y." She then seamlessly pivoted to become a critically acclaimed actress, a powerful producer, and a beloved public figure. Her legacy is one of continuous evolution, ownership, and unshakable self-worth. She taught us how to command our space and wear our crowns.

Catherine O’Hara: The Legend of Comedy To call Catherine O’Hara an icon is an understatement. From her groundbreaking work on SCTV to creating legendary characters in Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and Schitt’s Creek, she has proven that female-driven comedy is smart, versatile, and deeply resonant. Her portrayal of Moira Rose showed the world that a woman can be dramatic, hilarious, and vulnerable all at once—all while sporting an unforgettable wardrobe. She reminds us that joy, humor, and a little bit of theatricality are a woman’s superpower.

Mj Rodriguez: Breaking Glass Ceilings When Mj Rodriguez made history as the first transgender actress to win a Golden Globe, she did more than win an award—she lit a beacon for trans and LGBTQ+ visibility. Her powerful, nuanced performance as Blanca Evangelista in Pose brought a generation of stories to life, demanding empathy and understanding from a global audience. Rodriguez’s legacy is one of unparalleled courage and resilience, proving that being true to yourself is the ultimate triumph.

Jinkx Monsoon: The Art of Evolution As the first two-time winner of RuPaul's Drag Race (and, famously, the "Queen of All Queens"), Jinkx Monsoon is a force of creativity and wit. Jinkx’s artistry transcends drag, moving into theater and music with effortless skill. What makes Jinkx a powerful figure for Women’s History Month is her connection to the archetypes of the "hag" and the "witch"—she reclaimed identities that history has used to oppress women and made them sources of immense power, laughter, and wisdom.

Alyssa Liu: The Strength of a Young Champion At just 16 years old, figure skater Alyssa Liu became the first American woman to land a quadruple jump in international competition and the youngest U.S. women’s champion. Her journey is a testament to dedication, focus, and incredible pressure. More importantly, she has shown great emotional intelligence in navigating her path, recently announcing her retirement to "just live" after achieving her Olympic dreams. She shows us that strength is not just in competing, but also in knowing when it's time to chart a new path.

The Ancient, the Mythic, and the Primal

The "women who came before us" aren't just those who were recorded in census data; they are also the stories, archetypes, and divinities that human cultures have revered for millennia. These figures are part of our ancestral memory, reminding us of the foundational forces of life.

The Morrigan: The Sovereign Queen of Fate From Irish mythology, the Morrigan (meaning "Great Queen" or "Phantom Queen") is a complex divinity associated with war, fate, and sovereignty. She is not a deity who waits to be rescued; she is the chooser of kings and the orchestrator of destiny. The Morrigan is the energy of absolute self-governance. She reminds us that a woman’s true power comes from being the sovereign ruler of her own mind, body, and future.

Oya: The Orisha of Change and Justice In the Yoruba tradition of West Africa, Oya is the powerful Orisha (goddess) of winds, lightning, storms, and the marketplace. She is the fierce, protective energy that brings necessary change, blowing away the old to make way for the new. Oya is also the guardian of the cemetery and a guide for the spirits of the dead. She represents the force of transformative justice and the inescapable truth that with great power comes the responsibility to fight for what is right.

Durga: The Divine Mother of Invincible Strength One of the most revered deities in Hinduism, Durga (meaning "The Invincible One") is the fierce warrior form of the Mother Goddess. She was created when the combined energies of all the gods were needed to defeat the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Clad in a red saree and riding a tiger or lion, each of her eight to ten arms holds a weapon given to her by a god. Durga is the embodiment of dynamic female power (Shakti), showing us that the divine is a protector who fights fiercely for truth, justice, and the restoration of cosmic balance.

We Are Their Legacy

We tell the stories of Queen Latifah, Mj Rodriguez, and Alyssa Liu. We laugh at the genius of Catherine O’Hara and Jinkx Monsoon. And we revere the power of the Morrigan, Oya, and Durga.

We are not separate from them. Their courage, their creativity, their resilience, and their divinity are woven into our stories. When we feel powerful, we are channeling them. When we fight for justice, we are honoring them. When we celebrate our joy, we are proving that their legacy is thriving.

As we close out this month, carry this truth with you: You are the woman they hoped you would be. Happy Women’s History Month, today and always.