Celebrating Women in Film History: Honoring 31 Trailblazers for Women’s History Month 2026

4 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Join me for a month-long celebration of film history, told through the stories of 31 pioneering women from every era for Women's History Month 2026.

It’s here! Every March since 2017, I’ve dedicated Women’s History Month to highlighting the trailblazers who have helped shape—and continue to shape—the world of film and television. What started as a personal research challenge has become one of my favorite yearly traditions, and I’m excited to introduce the ladies of Women in Film History 2026.

As we start Women’s History Month, I’m celebrating 31 incredible women, one for each day of March. Their stories span continents, fields, and decades—ranging from the silent film era to today’s innovative creators. Whether you’re a longtime follower of this project or joining for the first time, I’m so happy you’re here.

Why This Project Matters

Film history often highlights the same names and faces, but women have shaped the medium—both behind the scenes and on the big screen—since the very beginning. From innovators like Alice Guy-Blaché and Lotte Reiniger to mid-century pioneers like Dorothy Arzner and Ida Lupino to modern trailblazers like Ava DuVernay and Chloé Zhao, women’s creative, technical, and cultural influence is everywhere—whether or not it’s always recognized.

In a small way, I hope this project helps to change that.

Each profile I share highlights a woman’s contributions within the historical, cultural, and industrial context of her time. I think understanding when she lived and what she faced helps us better understand the magnitude of her accomplishments—from breaking studio barriers and pioneering new animation techniques to crafting stories that changed the cultural landscape.

What keeps me motivated year after year is the same thing that originally drew me to this project: Women’s place in film history isn’t just a footnote—it’s part of its foundation.

Continuing the Decade-by-Decade Approach

If you’ve been following this project for a while, you know I organize each profile by decades, and I’m excited to continue that tradition by exploring from the 1880s all the way to today. I think this way, we can really see how women’s roles have evolved alongside technological leaps, shifts in genre, labor changes, and pop culture moments. It also allows each woman to be understood within her own time.

Although the structure of the profiles is staying the same, I’m excited to expand even more in 2026! This year’s list continues to showcase:

Both U.S. and international voices
Well-known and lesser-known pioneers
A wide range of industry roles, including costume designers, cinematographers, editors, performers, writers, producers, animators, and more
Women working across genres, from documentary and drama to horror, sci-fi, and animation

This year’s featured women include:

Helena Smith Dayton	Edna Williams	Audrie Alspaugh	Helen Holmes
Lenore Coffee	Sabahat Hüsamettin Filmer	Elizaveta Svilova	Helen Rose
Mary Manning	Lupe Veléz	Noel Neill	Joyce Wieland
Faten Hamama	Joan Micklin Silver	Mollie Gregory	Jeannie Epper
Pam Grier	Mary Harron	Rachel Talalay	Kasi Lemmons
Alison Bechdel	Lana Wachowski	Kiyoko Shibuya	Ava DuVernay
Céline Sciamma	Raamla Mohamed	Maggie Kang	Greta Gerwig
Celine Song	Alaqua Cox	Marissa Bode

My goal is to always celebrate the diverse contributions of women—bringing to light not only the well-known stories but also those that haven’t received the attention they truly deserve. Some women are household names, while others are pioneering figures who deserve wider recognition. Together, their stories highlight the shifts in media over the years, showcasing the creativity, resilience, and pioneering spirit that have propelled progress in a field that has historically been male-dominated.

What’s New in 2026

Every year, this project evolves, and in 2026, I’m attempting to bring in a few new updates:

More Reels

Expect more mini-explainers and fast facts. These 15–30-second reels will showcase research insights, historical context, and quick introductions to past and present trailblazers. My goal is to make the project more dynamic and visual—a perfectly accessible and shareable way to celebrate Women’s History Month.

Updated Google Sheets Resource

Compiling last year’s shared document was a new experience for me, and this year, it’s getting a refresh. The revamped Google Sheets will feature:

All 230+ women featured since 2017
Newly added categories for faster browsing (profession, date range, resource links)
Links to the 2026 Instagram carousels once published

It’s becoming a true archival resource, and something I hope you’ll return to throughout the year.

A New Wrap-Up Blog Post (with Embedded IG Posts!)

At the end of March, I’ll publish a full recap featuring all 31 women, reflections on this year’s content, and embedded Instagram carousels for easy browsing. I hope this makes the series more accessible to readers who prefer long-form content or want to explore the project beyond social media.

I am a one-woman show over here, so I won’t make any guarantees—don’t peek at last year’s results—but it is my goal to make WHM2026 the best one yet!

Why I Keep Doing This (And Why It Still Matters)

This project involves months of research, writing, designing, content planning, and even some hair-pulling, but honestly, it’s one of the highlights of my year. It involves a lot of late nights and worrying if everything will go right, but every March, I’m reminded of:

How much we owe to the women who have shaped film history
How many stories remain untold or undervalued
How meaningful it is to learn, celebrate, and share these histories together

Because, even in 2026, we’re still fighting for fair and equitable representation, not just within the entertainment industry, but within all spaces. Film history becomes richer, more accurate, and, honestly, more inspiring when women’s work is emphasized—not pushed aside. Whether it’s a forgotten silent-era actress, a groundbreaking special effects artist, or a current-day screenwriter reshaping the industry, each story reminds us of what true representation looks like in action.

How You Can Join the Celebration

New profiles will be shared throughout March on Instagram and Threads (@writer_alliey_michelle), and I’d love for you to be part of the conversation.

Here’s how you can support the project this year:

Follow Along on Instagram & Threads Daily posts, carousels, reels, and extras you won’t see anywhere else.
Comment, Save & Share I hate to ask, but engagement really does help this project connect with more people who care about representation in film history. Saving and sharing these stories can especially help bring them to new audiences.
Hashtags Use the hashtags #WomensHistoryMonth, #WomenInFilm, and #FilmHistory to connect.
Explore the Updated Google Sheets Resource Explore past profiles, find new filmmakers to enjoy, or get inspired for your next watchlist.
Join the Conversation Tell me about your favorite women in film history! Tag your friends! Share your own discoveries! I love getting comments and DMs from people sharing their own stories and discoveries. And any suggestions I get this year could be used next year!

Looking Ahead to March 2026

I’m so excited to introduce you to this year’s 31 incredible women. Their stories come from all over the world and span multiple generations, each showcasing why film history is such a beautiful archive of human creativity. I can’t wait to share their inspiring stories with you.

Women’s History Month is not just about reflecting on the past—it’s about recognizing the work still to be done and celebrating the women whose contributions help shape a more inclusive, creative future.

Thank you for being here, for supporting this project, and for valuing women’s stories in film. Here’s to another month of discovery, celebration, and inspiration.