Girls to the Front!

This week marks the beginning of National Women’s History Month, and as such, ladies are front and center in this week’s Night & Day. Emulating the cover-to-cover nature of our editorial package, here are some female-forward events happening across several of the sections that make up our diverse weekly coverage. Enjoy!

NEWSWORTHY

This Sunday is the officially recognized International Women’s Day, honoring women’s fight for equality and liberation, as well as the women’s rights movement. But why? We celebrate on Mar 8 because of the 1917 Russian women’s strike for “bread and peace” during World War I. This crucial event led to women’s suffrage in Russia and was later adopted by the United Nations for global observance in 1977. This year’s theme is Give to Gain, stressing that when people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Learn more at InternationalWomensDay.com.

To celebrate the occasion, Texas Wesleyan University (1201 Wesleyan St, Fort Worth, 817-531-4444) hosts an event on Thursday. The featured speaker of Voices of Resilience is Nigerian-American public health advocate Dr. Amara Nwosu. There will also be panels, a resource fair, and a cultural showcase with performances by student groups from 15 countries. While you’re on campus, be sure to see the collaborative mural “Her Story, Our Future” on display thru the end of March. There is no cost to attend.

ARTS & CULTURE

Now thru Thu, Sep 30, 2027, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-738-1933) focuses on a legend. Drawn from the Carter’s collection, Georgia O’Keeffe and the Carter features her paintings, photographs, works on paper, and letters, showcasing her formative years in Texas and her ties to the museum. Admission is free.

On display thru Sun, Mar 22, Dressed for the Drawing Room: Fashion in Jane Austen’s World at the Arlington Museum of Art (1200 Ballpark Way, 817-275-4600) showcases costumes and jewelry from film adaptations of Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Emma (2020), highlighting 19th-century fashion and the heritage of these iconic woman-forward literary works. The museum is open 10am-5pm Tue-Sat and 1pm-5pm Sun. Admission is $25 per person or free with a museum membership, starting at $75 at ArlingtonMuseum.org/membership.

FEELING BOOKISH

On the first Saturday of every month, the woman-owned and independent Dock Bookshop (6637 Meadowbrook Dr, Fort Worth, 817-457-5700) presents the Night Women’s Book Club, dedicated to African-American literature. For the next installment — 3-5pm Sat, Mar 7 — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Dream Count, about a travel writer and three friends struggling with their choices and regrets during the pandemic, will be discussed.

Then on Sat, Mar 14, at 3pm, return to The Dock for an author talk and signing for She’s The Producer: The Blueprint. Written by Emmy-nominated executive producer Dr. Lena Jenkins-Smith, this book breaks down the real responsibilities of producing for film and television. It is a practical guide for women who want to lead confidently in the industry.

The ladies of the Welman Project and Leaves Bakery & Books have joined forces for a Banned Book Club 5pm-7pm Tue, Mar 10, at Leaves (1251 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-710-2253). This month’s book is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, about a young Black girl who prays every day to be more beautiful. Morrison’s first novel examines our obsession with beauty and conformity and asks questions about race, class, and gender.

Sponsored by the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, the Texas Woman’s University Book Series is celebrating the publication of Wild Women for Good: Stories of Conservation in Texas with a reading and talk by author Jennifer L. Bristol on Wed, Mar 25, from 2pm to 3pm inside Room 257 of the TWU Old Main Building (304 Administration Dr, Denton, 940-898-2000). The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

FOODSTUFF

Did you know that the inventor of the first hot biscuit mix was a Fort Worth native? Lucille Bishop Smith was an entrepreneur, chef, and inventor known as “the first African-American businesswoman in Texas.” You can learn about her and other pioneers in the online archives of the UTA Central Library. You can also read more about Lucille Bishop Smith in this week’s Eats & Drinks article a few pages over.

From 7am to 9am on Wed, Mar 25, Mayor Mattie Parker’s annual Breakfast with the Mayor is at Ridglea Country Club North (3700 Bernie Anderson Av, Fort Worth, 817-732-8111). Organizers say you’ll enjoy a powerful start to the day and the satisfaction of knowing your early alarm clock is ringing in real change. “Coffee helps. We promise!” Along with the aforementioned java, your meal will include breakfast burritos with chipotle-braised brisket, scrambled eggs, jack cheese, and pico de gallo, served with Country Club Potatoes and seasonal fruit. Tickets are $150, with proceeds benefiting DRC Solutions, a nonprofit that helps people experiencing homelessness in Tarrant County. For more information and a ticket link, go to Facebook.com/DRCSolutionsFW/events.

CROSSTOWN SOUNDS

Several outstanding women artists will take the stage at this year’s Sixth Annual Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival at Southside Preservation Hall (1519 Lipscomb St, Fort Worth, 817-926-2800, FWAAMFest.com) on Sat, Mar 21. Martha Redbone will share her culture through songs and storytelling, drawing on her life experience as an Afro-Indigenous mother. Los Angeles-based street singer, guitarist, and roots-music revolutionary Sunny War will perform songs about alcoholism, love found and lost, police violence, and more. Lady A will bring her blend of gospel, funk, and soul, along with storytelling. And the list goes on and on. There will also be performances by Briar, Cactus Rose NYC, Amanda Ewing, Darcy Ford-James, Grace Givertz, Anne Harris, Tufara Waller Muhammad, Shanice Richards, and the Sable Sisters. Tickets are $50 at Prekindle.com.

Other venues soon hosting notable women artists include Arlington Music Hall (Kathy Mattea on Mar 20 at 224 N Center St, 817-226-4400), Billy Bob’s Texas (Sara Evans on Apr 25 at 2520 Rodeo Plz, Fort Worth, 817-624-7117), the Fort Worth Botanic Garden (Courtney Marie Andrews on Mar 30 at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, 817-463-4160), the Kimbell Art Museum (Bokyun Byun on Mar 8 at 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-8451), and The Post (Lera Lynn on Apr 17 at 2736 W 6th St, Fort Worth, 817-945-8890).

And, finally, don’t forget to help us celebrate the ladies (and gentlemen) of the local music scene at the Fort Worth Weekly Music Awards at Ridglea Theater (6025 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-738-9500) on Sun, Mar 29. That evening, we will announce and celebrate our 2025 winners and induct some new awesome people into our Hall of Fame. There is no cost to attend. For updates on the timeline and special performances, RSVP on our Facebook event page at Facebook.com/FortWorthWeekly/events.