5 Places to Celebrate International Women’s Day in San Francisco with the Family

This International Women’s Day, celebrate in San Francisco, a city with a proud history of social activism. While one needs not a special occasion to appreciate women and their contributions, the holiday makes for an excellent reminder to do so. Take time to appreciate the accomplishments of strong women everywhere and explore these special spots.

Request an uberX for a safe and affordable ride between these highlights. If your family is on the larger side, an UberXL can comfortably hold up to six passengers, making for an easy, laid-back ride with minimal sibling squabbling in the backseat.

1. Modern Times Bookstore Collective

A fixture in the Mission District since 1971, the Modern Times Bookstore Collective is a treasure trove of radical feminist literature, not to mention a well-curated collection of works of both fiction and nonfiction by female authors. The community-oriented venue also hosts regular open mic nights and readings by local authors. Though the bookstore has a definite progressive agenda, there’s also a broad range of more standard tomes. Kids will love being able to browse through the $1 shelves, which feature new titles every single day.

2. Brava for Women in the Arts

Founded in 1986, the Brava for Women in the Arts at the Brava Theater Center puts on dynamic productions that give a voice to women, minorities, and other groups who might not always have one. If kids feel particularly inspired after seeing a performance, they may wish to consider signing up for one of the many San Francisco Youth Theatre programs that run out of the same center.

3. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Within the bold collection of contemporary works at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art are dozens of paintings and sculptures by feminist icons including Frida Kahlo. Judy Chicago is another such artist on display, and she made a name for herself on the global art scene with her controversial piece The Dinner Party, an ode to under-celebrated female figures and a biting commentary on how women are not always given their due place at the table.

4. San Francisco Streetcars

Even among the many talented ladies to walk the streets of San Francisco, the late Maya Angelou stands tall. During her career, Angelou received Tony and Grammy nominations, as well as widespread praise for her poetry. Unbeknownst to many, she was also San Francisco’s first African-American female streetcar conductor. Take an Uber to one of the city’s famous street tram stops and go for a ride with the little ones while telling her story.

5. The Women’s Building

Even in a city renowned for its moving, provocative, and technically dazzling graffiti, the multihued mural on The Women’s Building stands out. Painted in 1994 by legendary female Bay Area street artists including Miranda Bergman, Yvonne Littleton, and Juana Alicia, the MaestraPeace Mural is an exuberant tribute to both the human spirit and to women everywhere. It’s the perfect piece to launch a thoughtful conversation with your kids.