Eight Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day in Tennessee

Whether fighting for the right to vote or breaking barriers on the court, Tennessee is home to trailblazing women that continue to make an impact around the world. Feel inspired, learn the history and experience the places with these eight ways to celebrate International Women’s Day in Tennessee this March.
1. Trailblazing Women in Sports
Women’s Sports History Tour – Statewide
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Title IX and Women’s History Month, Nashville Sites has launched its first statewide Women’s Sports History Tour. Learn about the Tennessee women who shaped sports history with a 10-stop self-guided tour through Nashville and then hop on the “Beyond Nashville” 9-stop tour to places across the state.
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame- Knoxville
Before you enter the Hall of Fame, check out the world’s largest basketball on the roof of the museum, the Baden Ball. Step inside, where the museum recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of some of women’s basketball’s greatest players and their contributions to the sport. Test your skills on three different courts, a passing skills area and a timed dribbling course. Additionally, make your way to the University of Tennessee’s campus, where you’ll find the University of Tennessee Pat Summitt Plaza, a permanent tribute to one of the all-time winning coaches in sports history.
2. Learn About the Influential Women that Shaped History
Tennessee State Museum – Nashville
Touring the permanent exhibitions at the new Tennessee State Museum offers visitors insights into the struggles and achievements of the state’s women throughout its history. Beginning with the Forging a Nation Gallery, learn the stories of women like Cherokee farmer Martha Clingnan, First Lady Sarah Childress Polk, and Jenny Blow Washington, an enslaved woman from Robertson County. Next, the Civil War and Reconstruction Gallery chronicles women during this critical time in the state’s and nation’s history.
Finally, in the Change and Challenge Gallery, visitors can see artifacts like a women’s suffrage banner and learn about Tennesseans’ critical roles in ratifying the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote throughout the nation. Throughout March, the museum’sWomen’s History Month Tours celebrates and highlights women’s history throughout Tennessee.
3. Leading Women in Culinary
The food world sees a new generation of women at the helm of the statewide culinary movement. However, some like Mahasti Vafaie, who opened vegetarian favourite The Tomato Head on Market Square in Knoxville 30 years ago, were already making their mark. On the other side of the state, Felicia Willett debuted Felicia Suzanne’s in 2002 and immediately became a Memphis staple with her upscale spin on traditional Southern cooking (think: shrimp and grits, deviled eggs and short rib grilled cheese).
In Nashville, Maneet Chauhan with her quartet of globally inspired restaurants – Chauhan Ale & Masala House, Tànsuǒ, The Mockingbird and Chaatable – has brought destination dining to town with plenty of foodies making the pilgrimage to Music City to sample creations of the celebrity chef they’ve seen on shows like the Food Network’s “Chopped.”
4. Immerse Yourself Within the Stories and Sites
Centennial Park – Nashville
Only a few miles from downtown Nashville, Centennial Park is home to the Women’s Suffrage Statue that honors the five women present during the final ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920: Anne Dallas Dudley of Nashville; Abby Crawford Milton of Chattanooga; J. Frankie Pierce of Nashville; Sue Shelton of Jackson; and Carrie Chaman Catt, the the national suffrage leader who came to Nashville to direct pro-suffragists from the Hermitage Hotel. Dudley staged a parade through the streets of Nashville with five dozen cars. Businesses displayed banners proclaiming, “Votes for Women.”
Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial – Knoxville
The memorial in Market Square downtown honors three women who campaigned for the state to ratify the 19th Amendment to give women the right to vote: Elizabeth Avery of Memphis, Lizzie Crozier French of Knoxville, and Anne Dallas Dudley of Nashville. Alan LeQuire designed the sculpture, commissioned by the Suffrage Coalition. Around the corner from the Woman Suffrage Memorial, visit the Burn Memorial, which honors Rep. Harry Burn and his mother Febb and their roles in ratifying the 19th Amendment.
5. Stays Designed and Curated by Women
The Germantown Inn – Nashville
The charming Germantown Inn, located in Nashville’s historic Germantown neighbourhood, celebrates women all year long with the property’s Carriage House featuring four guest suites that honor influential women in US history, including Rose Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt and Abigail Adams. In addition, the interior design captures Nashville’s local female talent with custom wallpaper from female-led design company New Hat Projects, commissioned modern portraits of the leading ladies by artist Caitlin Mello and drapery by textile designer Andra Eggleston.
RT Lodge – Maryville
In 1932, the RT Lodge was designed by Mrs. Susan Wiley Walker, an inspiring woman who made significant contributions to the community and set a standard among hospitality in the Maryville community. Today, the lodge includes the historic home and two guest houses where guests can enjoy walking paths, fire pits, a restaurant and more. On March 13, the RT Lodge will honor Walker during National Women’s History Month with an afternoon tea which will include desserts curated by Pastry Chef Caitlyn Cox, another female that plays a significant role at the lodge today.
6. Women Making a Splash in Craft Beers, Wine & Whiskey
Wine
Tennessee may traditionally be a whiskey state, but vino is trending, too, thanks to winemakers like Nikki Riddle of The Winery at Seven Springs Farm in Maynardville and Jo O’Cain of Century Farm Winery in Jackson.
Craft Beer
The beer scene has increasingly grown popular throughout the state, and there are many women to thank for that. Jackalope Brewing Co. became the first female-owned brewery in Tennessee when Harvard grad and lawyer Bailey Spaulding opened it in Nashville in 2011.
Whiskey
More than 30 new distilleries have cropped up throughout the state in recent years, and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail has seen a growing female representation. Some women making spirits include Alex Castle at Old Dominick Distillery, Miranda White at Knox Whiskey Works, Rachael Sykes at Nashville Craft, Fawn Weaver at Uncle Nearest and Nicole Austin at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.
7. Celebrate the Women Currently Making an Impact in Tourism and Hospitality
Hattie Jane’s Creamery Founder & CEO Claire Crowell
Hattie Jane’s Creamery is a women-led creamery and scoop shop with four locations throughout Middle Tennessee. It is a community-centric company to elevate like-minded local and female-led businesses and nonprofits through creative partnerships. Don’t miss out on its delicious flavors, including lemon icebox pie and Bushwacker.
Pigeon Forge’s City Manager Earlene Teaster
Earlier this year, Pigeon Forge’s City Manager Earlene Teaster celebrated 60 Years of Service with Pigeon Forge. Not only does the city honor her extraordinary service to the city as the longest-serving city manager, but she also is celebrated as being named Tennessee’s first-ever female city manager. She has advocated for tourism, the city’s continued growth through infrastructure and strong partnerships with local businesses throughout her career.
8. Be Inspired by the Music of Tennessee Female Leading Artists
Dolly Parton Statue – Sevierville
Visit the Sevierville Courthouse to snap a memorable photo with the Dolly Parton statue erected to honor the Sevierville native who’s been an enormous influence in music, philanthropy and business. If looking to round out the Dolly Parton experience, head down the road to Pigeon Forge and bask in all the fun at Tennessee’s No. 1 attraction, Dollywood. Dolly Parton’s Stampede and Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventure Dinner & Show round out the entertainment the icon has created in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Tina Turn Museum at Flagg Grove School – Brownsville
Learn the powerful story of how a small-town Tennessee girl rose to international stardom. The Nutbush, Tennessee native is honored at the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. In the original one-room schoolhouse Turner attended as a girl, you can see authentic school desks, chalkboards and memorabilia. Each September, the Queen of Rock n’ Roll is honored during Tina Turner Heritage Days.