The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, announced the opening of the Warrior Women Exhibit this summer, a groundbreaking installation that highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in warfare, cultural preservation, and the protection of indigenous lands. Curated by Kumu Michelle Manu, a 10th Degree Black Belt and teacher of the sacred Hawaiian art of Lua, the exhibit is the first of its kind globally to center on women as protectors, strategists, and carriers of martial knowledge.
Founder and President Michael Matsuda emphasized the historic nature of the exhibit. "We are setting a historical precedent! Not only are female warriors a significant part of martial arts history, but many wars would not have been won without them…here to let the community know we support women within the martial arts." The exhibit aims to restore balance and accuracy to the historical narrative, as Manu stated, "This is not about adding women into history - it’s about correcting the record of what has always been true. For centuries, women’s contributions have been minimized or obscured. This exhibit restores balance, accuracy, and truth. Women were never absent from the history of war - only from the way it has been told."
The Warrior Women Exhibit Gala, featuring an official ribbon cutting, is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 4:00 pm PDT at the Martial Arts History Museum. This event marks the first time women are being honored in a martial arts museum. Ticket sales are to be announced. For more information about the museum, visit martialartsmuseum.com. For more on Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu, visit michellemanu.com.
