Celebrate Women's History in Pasadena

Celebrate Octavia Butler

There are many ways to celebrate the incredible Octavia Butler, who was born and raised in Pasadena. Butler attended Washington Junior High School, which was later called Washington STEAM Multilingual Academy, was just recently renamed the Octavia E. Butler Magnet. They named their library after the famous alumna in 2020 with a mural in her honor. Visit the The Huntington Library to admire the collection Octavia Butler’s archives and start a 2.5 mile walking loop to Experience Butler’s Pasadena on Foot. On the walking loop, visit Nikki High in her bookstore highlighting female authors and BIPOC writers at Octavia’s Bookshelf on your way to Octavia E. Butler Magnet school.

The Norton Simon Museum

The renowned Norton Simon Museum on Pasadena’s famed Colorado Boulevard has a sculpture garden with a lush pond. During a remodel with Frank Gehry in the 1990s, Norton’s widow Jennifer Jones Simon asked landscape designer Nancy Goslee Power to create a garden “just like Monet’s Giverny.” A delight for visitors of all ages. Enjoy other works by women artists and more on March 29th for a tour from 1pm to 2pm.

The Pasadena Hotel & Pool

The Pasadena Hotel & Pool is a historic hotel built in 1926 by local businesswoman Constance G. Lewis Perry. Located on the Rose Parade route, the hotel reopened in 2022 with updated interiors and branding to blend the Spanish influences of Southern California with the building’s 1920s ethos. The pet-friendly hotel has a rooftop pool and a lobby area furnished with found items from flea markets such as the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

The Rose Bowl Stadium

1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl Stadium broke attendance and television records for women’s sports and the US Women’s Soccer Team’s winning kick was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, becoming one of the defining images of women’s athletics in the United States. Get a tour of the historic stadium on the last Friday of every month to see the locker rooms, the field, press box, and more.

Pasadena's Museum of History Mansion Tour

On select days from 12:30pm to 2pm, you can step inside the historic 1906 Fényes Mansion to experience an exclusive, in-depth tour of Museum benefactors Eva Scott Fényes, her husband Dr. Adalbert Fényes, and Eva's descendants. The mansion reflects the lifestyle and culture of a woman raised in the Victorian era as it was practiced in Pasadena in the time of Orange Grove's Millionaire's Row.

A Noise Within

Honor the strength of women, past and present, by experiencing the bold and dynamic production of Jane Eyre at the award-winning theatre A Noise Within starting March 23. Although Jane Eyre is adapted from novel by British writer Charlotte Brontë, you will find inspiration in this beloved tale of one woman's quest for freedom and fulfillment in the face of adversity.

Support Women-Owned Businesses

Enjoy the experiences from Pasadena’s women-owned businesses. Monopole by WineRX is owned by a wine-educated Latina physician and offers phenomenal wine tasting experiences. Savor the wide selection of specialty cheeses at Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery, curated by cheesemonger Vanessa Kalb. See the list of women-owned businesses.