The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, announced the first-ever Warrior Women Exhibit, opening this summer. The exhibit aims to recognize the critical and often overlooked contributions of women in warfare, cultural preservation, and the protection of indigenous lands.
Founder and President Michael Matsuda emphasized the significance of the exhibit, stating, "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 is curated by Kumu Michelle Manu, a 10th Degree Black Belt and cultural educator. Manu, a teacher and lineage architect of the sacred Hawaiian art of Lua, is described as a modern-day woman warrior. She noted, "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. This exhibit restores what was never missing."
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. The event marks the first time women are being honored in a martial arts museum. Ticket sales will be announced later.
For more information about the museum, visit martialartsmuseum.com. Details about Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu can be found at michellemanu.com.
