As we head into Women’s History Month and the weather gets warmer, a few trips to celebrate important women over the years are in order. So grab your passport and pack your bags as we acknowledge some of the world's most inspirational women…
Frida Kahlo
Art lover? A trip to Frida Kahlo’s house is the destination for you. Renowned artist, feminist, and LGBTQ+ icon, Kahlo contributed art based on her own life experiences. Through her artwork she challenged identity norms and celebrated Mexican culture. To further explore her work, you can visit her house located in Mexico City, where you can view some of her pieces, learn about her life, and explore Mexican history through changing weekly activities.
Jane Austen
Dying to explore the mind behind Pride and Prejudice? Take a journey to Chawton, England to see Jane Austen’s House. Austen provided the world with some of the most memorable classics and brought further attention to in-depth female characters, as well as how women fit into society in real life. At her home you can see artifacts from her life, such as her writing table, jewelry, and letters. If you can’t take the trek, the museum also hosts a monthly online book club, in which you can share your thoughts with other literature lovers.
Marie Curie
STEM more your speed? Dive into Maria Curie's life at her museum in Warsaw, Poland. Curie is widely known for her contributions in the chemistry and physics world, specifically discovering the radioactive elements polonium and radium, furthering progress work in the medical field. Women continue to be opressed in the STEM field, and Curie’s work is a lasting reminder of the value women provide in a male-dominated sector. At this museum, you learn everything from her personal and professional life, and view some of her home and lab memorabilia.
Whang Od
Lastly, here’s one for a woman who is actively changing the world. If you’re a tattoo enthusiast, a venture to Buscalan, Philippines, is a trip you’ll never forget. Whang Od, at age 108, is the last mambabatok who practices Kalinga batok, traditional Filipino hand-tapping tattoos. She now only performs a three-dot tattoo, but has younger family members who she has recently taught to secure the tradition. Od’s work has inspired a revival of similar Filipino tattoo styles and has reconnected Filipino people around the world with their roots. She reminds us of the importance of preserving culture and the power women hold in continuing their stories and traditions. If you are interested in visiting, I highly recommend researching more to further understand the meaning and significance behind this practice.
