The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, is set to open the first-ever Warrior Women Exhibit on August 22, 2026, at 4 p.m. PDT. The groundbreaking installation aims to honor the critical and often unrecognized role 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 warrior women throughout the ages.'
Curated by Kumu (Hawaiian for teacher) Michelle Manu, a 10th Degree Black Belt, the exhibit is the first of its kind globally to center on women as protectors, strategists, and carriers of martial knowledge. Manu, a modern-day woman warrior and cultural educator, is a teacher and lineage architect of the sacred Hawaiian art of Lua.
'This is not about adding women into history - it's about correcting the record of what has always been true,' Manu declared. '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, which will include an official ribbon cutting, is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m. PDT. This free event is open to the public and will mark the first time women are being honored in a martial arts museum.
The exhibit highlights the importance of recognizing women's contributions to martial arts and warfare, which have often been minimized or obscured in historical narratives. By restoring balance and accuracy, the exhibit aims to educate the public about the true scope of women's roles as protectors, strategists, and carriers of martial knowledge.
The Martial Arts History Museum, located in Glendale, California, exists to promote an appreciation of America's cultural diversity by using the martial arts as a gateway to share how Asian history became part of American history. For more information, visit martialartsmuseum.com.
Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu, JD, PhD, is a metaphysician, master martial artist, and cultural educator. She is a champion of women's self-protection and longevity, integrating ancient knowledge with quantum physics to unlock human potential. For more information about her work, visit michellemanu.com.
The Warrior Women Exhibit represents a significant step in acknowledging the contributions of women throughout history, offering a more complete and accurate portrayal of martial arts and warfare. This event not only honors past warrior women but also inspires future generations to recognize and celebrate the role of women in preserving and advancing martial traditions.
