Ideas for Planning Women's History Month Luncheon

A Women's History Month luncheon (or dinner) is a great capstone for a month rich in education, inspiration, and fun. This luncheon can serve as a summation of events sponsored by your community or organization, a reason to get women together for celebration, and/or both. No matter the aim, if you are planning a luncheon for Women's History Month, here are some ideas to help you get started.

1. Create an "I AM" Segment

This segment is used in many events when honoring historical figures. When planning this segment for Women's History Month, first, choose the historical women you want to honor. Then choose dynamic, inspirational women to read a short biography of each featured woman. A presentation or video with inspirational background music can be used to compliment the speaker and provide a more dramatic feel. Have each woman's biography end with, " I am (historical woman's name)."

2. Women's History Month Events Movie

If your organization has held numerous events throughout the month, be sure to take some action pictures and videos at each event. It is helpful if you assign a photographer and/or videographer in your planning committee. Create a movie or slide show presentation to show all the exciting Women's History Month events that your organization or community took part in.

3. Historical Women Movie or Presentation

Show a presentation or movie summarizing historical women. If your organization specializes in a particular field, such as medicine, law, or military, highlight women who has revolutionized your field. For female professionals, this segment tends to be an uplifting part of the luncheon.

4. Honor Local Women For Achievements

Sponsor an award honoring women who has made a difference in your community. Ask local newspapers and television stations to submit nominations to a central point of contact for the award. By recognizing women who has made a difference in the community, you will be encouraging more great deeds and accomplishments by your local women and providing great female role models. Also, this is a great time to give back to women who have contributed a great deal to the community.

5. Announce Award for Local Contest

Your Women's History Month committee can hold local contest in an effort to give a something back to the community. Essay and art contests consisting of different age groups are great ways to give monetary rewards and prizes to members of your community. Rewards and prizes can be anything from cash to scholarships. At the luncheon, present the awards to the winners of your contests.

6. Find a Guest Speaker

Search your community for a strong, influential woman to speak at your luncheon. You can decide on a local politician, business owner, celebrity, or anyone who has notable accomplishments. Have her tell her story, give words of inspiration, or advise younger women and girls who will soon be following in her footsteps.

7. Plan a Scavenger Hunt Game

This game will have your guest running all over the room. Place any number of chairs (usually 8-12), at the front of the audience. Make a list of women-related items (lip plumper, tweezers, coins featuring a female). The point of the game is to use the list of items and have the players hunt for these items with the help of the audience and make it back to their seat. Every time a new item is called, one chair is removed from the front. The last one to return with the item will not have a chair to sit in and he or she will be out of play. When compiling the list of items, be sure to save the rarer items, such as a coin featuring a woman, for last on the list.

8. Women's History Trivia

You can have each table as a team. Find about 10-20 trivia questions to fill in time. Your audience will be surprised by what they learn. Be sure to have a prize for the winning table.

Whether you are looking to provide fun, education, or inspiration, there are many ways you can entertain your guest and celebrate the great accomplishments of women. Use any combination of these ideas for a successful Women's History Month luncheon.