Nearly a century ago, in 1926, Bertha Knight Landes made history as the first woman mayor of Seattle — and the first woman to lead a major American city. Today, women continue to shape Seattle's future, from the all-women ownership group of the WNBA Seattle Storm to an electric community of women in the visual and performing arts to more than 1,000 women-owned businesses driving the city's economic prosperity. 

In celebration of Women's History Month, Visit Seattle invites you to celebrate and explore the stories and vast contributions of women who play a pivotal role in defining the city's culture and industries, including entrepreneurs, artists and influential leaders in hospitality, sports, and more. 

Recognizing Women in Seattle's Arts and Cultural Sector 

Seattle has long been a hub for artistic and intellectual expression, with women playing a central role in defining its cultural identity. Their influence spans music, the arts, journalism, and storytelling, woven into the city's dynamic fabric. 

“Seattle's cultural vibrancy is driven by the creativity, innovation, and leadership of women who challenge conventions and shape the stories we tell,” said Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture. “At MOPOP, we celebrate the transformative power of pop culture and the incredible contributions of women in the arts, music, and beyond. It's inspiring to be part of a city where women are not only leading but redefining what's possible in the creative landscape.” 

Other notable leaders in Seattle's arts and cultural sector include: 

• Ellen Walker – Executive Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet  

• Dr. Gabriela Chavarria – Executive Director of the Burke Museum 

• Ijeoma Oluo – Speaker and Author of “Be a Revolution” (2024), “So You Want to Talk About Race” (2018), “Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male Power” (2020) 

• Andrea Wilbur-Sigo – Northwest Carver and Prolific Artist 

• Ilana Cone Kennedy – CEO of the Holocaust Center for Humanity  

Women Leading in Seattle Food & Beverage  

Seattle's nationally recognized culinary scene has been crafted by visionary chefs, restaurateurs, artisans, and mixologists — many of them women driving its innovation. Women's contributions have played a key role in the city's flourishing dining landscape, showcasing the Pacific Northwest region's bounty and diverse influences. 

“One of our greatest joys in being women owners in an industry traditionally represented through a male lens, is that we are able to model that there is space for women looking to enter the craft beer world,” said Robyn Schumacher & Lara Zahaba, co-owners of Stoup Brewing. “We hope our visibility also resonates with women consumers who love beer but are often ignored in mainstream marketing. That said, we are thankful to live and work in the Seattle brewery and hospitality industries, where leadership and collaboration by strong women is embraced and encouraged.” 

Below are more trailblazers of Seattle's culinary community:  

• Jamila Conley – Founder of WeRise Wines 

• Kristi Brown – Chef and Restaurateur of COMMUNION Restaurant & Bar and Lil' Brown Girl, author of “That Brown Girl Cooks!” 

• Dani Cone – Food, Beverage and Small Business Founder of Fuel Coffee, High 5 Pie and Cone & Steiner General 

• Renee Erickson – Chef and Restaurateur of Sea Creatures and author of “Sunlight and Breadcrumbs,” “A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus,” and “Getaway: Food & Drink to Transport You” 

March Events, Celebrations and Exhibits  

• Kathy Griffin at The Moore Theater – On Saturday, Mar. 1st, Emmy and Grammy Award winning comedian, television star and author Kathy Griffin will be performing new stand-up comedy, “My Life on the PTSD-List,” at The Moore Theater.  

• 2025 International Women's Day with iHeartMedia at the Museum of Pop Culture –On Mar. 5, MoPOP will feature an all-female panel of Seattle-based trailblazers, covering everything from finance and career to wellness and mental health. 

• “Young Ok Kim: Hanjicraft: Revival of a Joseon Dynasty Artform” at the Bainbride Island Museum of Art  – Artist Young OK Kim will be debuting a solo exhibition featuring traditional Korean hanjicraft – a delicate paper craft that uses mulberry bark paper to create everyday items – on Friday, Mar. 7th.  

• MMBASSY Presents: See Her Be Her: The MMBASSY, an all-female DJ collective, is hosting a dynamic day of panels and hands-on workshops at The W Seattle on Saturday, Mar. 8th, followed by a night of music and dancing at Madame Lou's in Belltown.  

• Drunk HERstory 2025 at Stoup Brewing – Join the fun on Thursday, Mar. 13 for a night of laughter, learning, and libations celebrating history's most fascinating and impactful women. 

• Anoushka Shankar at The Moore Theatre – On Thursday, Mar. 13th, Anoushka Shankar will bring to Seattle a new band of musicians to perform music from three newly-released mini-albums “Chapter I: Forever, For Now”, “Chapter II: How Dark it Is Before Dawn” and “Chapter III (Untitled).”  

• Seattle Reign FC Home Opener at Lumen Field – As Reign FC launches its 2025 NWSL season on Saturday, Mar. 15, fans should expect an exciting showdown against NJ/NY Gotham FC. Can't make the game? Pull up a seat at Seattle's dedicated women's sports bar, Rough and Tumble!  

• Hinds LIVE on KEXP  – Experience a live recording session at KEXP Studios in Seattle Center on Thursday, Mar. 27th as Hinds, a Spanish indie rock band featuring Carlotta Cosials and Ana García Perrote, hits the studio.  

Eat and Shop Women-Owned Businesses  

• Ba Bar – Saigon-inspired street food in Capitol Hill, South Lake Union, and the University District  

• Bake Shop – Bakery, gift shop, and wine bar in Uptown    

• Bang Bang Cafe – Daily breakfast and lunch service inspired by New Mexican cuisine in Belltown 

• Bite Society – Curated sweet and savory treats and snacks in tattoo-themed packaging in Pike Place Market   

• Bounty Kitchen – Healthy and organic eating in Queen Anne    

• Cafe Hagen – Scandinavian-inspired coffee, brunch, and beverages    

• Cedarhouse Flowers – Lush and inspired flower arrangements in Wallingford   

• Damoori Kitchen – Authentic Lebanese cuisine in Magnolia    

• Eighth Generation – Indigenous lifestyle brand with flagship store in downtown  

• Elm Candle Bar – Hands-on scent blending experience in Capitol Hill 

• Fast Penny – Award-winning amaro distillery in Interbay  

• Frankie and Jo's – Delicious plant-based ice cream and desserts   

• Good & Well Supply Co. – Homemade candles and apparel in Ballard    

• Hood Famous Cafe & Bar – Filipino & Asian-Pacific cafe in the Chinatown-International District 

• Lady Yum – Handmade macaron and champagne parlor in Pioneer Square and South Lake Union 

• Marination – Seattle food-truck-turned-restaurant in Belltown, Columbia City, and West Seattle   

• Marjorie – Global bistro in the Central District  

• Molly Moon – Homemade ice cream with locations across Seattle   

• Moshi Moshi Sushi & Izakaya – Full-service Japanese restaurant in Ballard 

• Musang – Celebrated Filipino fare in Beacon Hill 

• Obec Brewing – Craft brewery in Ballard  

• Phở Bắc Súp Shop – Seattle's original pho restaurant in the Chinatown-International District 

• Prism – Independent and unique boutique in Ballard    

• QueenCare – Natural body care products 

• Rough and Tumble – Women's sports bar in Ballard  

• Salmon Bay FC – Salmon Bay FC will debut at Interbay Stadium in May as Seattle's official USL W League team 

• The Comfort Zone –  Soul food restaurant run by a mother-daughter team 

• The Works – Multifaceted craft space in Wallingford 

Explore more of the 1,000+ women-owned businesses in Seattle on The Intentionalist, founded by Seattle community leader and entrepreneur, Laura Clise.    

To learn more about the women who shape Seattle, go to visitseattle.org and SEAforSHE. 

You can also get to know some of the city's inspiring women on VISITSEATTLE.tv below:    

• Seattle on Three | Jewell Lloyd 

• Music Genesis | The Head and The Heart 

• Seattle Bookmarked | I Can Make This Promise 

Do you have a recommendation for how to celebrate Women's History Month? Please submit your ideas to pr@visitseattle.org. We would love to hear from you! 

About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.