The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, announced plans for the first-ever Warrior Women Exhibit, a groundbreaking installation opening this summer that aims to recognize the critical and often overlooked role of women in warfare, cultural preservation, and the protection of indigenous lands. The exhibit, curated by Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu, a 10th Degree Black Belt and cultural educator, will be the first of its kind globally to center on women as protectors, strategists, and carriers of martial knowledge.
"We are setting a historical precedent!" said Founder and President Michael Matsuda. "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 correct the historical record, as women's contributions have long been minimized or obscured in traditional narratives of warfare.
Dr. Manu, a teacher and lineage architect of the sacred Hawaiian art of Lua, emphasized the importance of the exhibit. "This is not about adding women into history - it's about correcting the record of what has always been true," she stated. "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, which will include an official ribbon cutting, is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, beginning at 4:00 pm PDT at the Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale. This event will mark the first time women are being honored in a martial arts museum. Ticket sales are to be announced.
The museum's mission is to promote appreciation of America's cultural diversity by using martial arts as a gateway to share how Asian history became part of American history. Dr. Manu, who holds a JD and 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. More information about her work is available at michellemanu.com.
The implications of this announcement are significant: it challenges the traditional narrative of martial arts history, which has largely excluded women, and provides a platform for recognizing the vital contributions of female warriors across cultures. By restoring these stories, the exhibit not only honors women but also offers a more accurate and inclusive understanding of history. This installation could inspire similar efforts in other museums and institutions, helping to reshape public perception of women's roles in warfare and cultural preservation.
