The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, is set to open its first-ever Warrior Women Exhibit on Aug. 22, 2026, at 4 p.m. The groundbreaking installation aims to honor the critical and often unrecognized role of women in warfare, cultural preservation, and the protection of indigenous lands.
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 said. “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.”
Founder and President Michael Matsuda emphasized the significance 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 warrior women throughout the ages.”
The Warrior Women Exhibit Gala, which will include the official ribbon cutting, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, beginning at 4 p.m. PDT. The event is free and open to the public. Hosted by the Martial Arts History Museum, this event marks the first time women are being honored in a martial arts museum.
For more information, visit the museum’s website at martialartsmuseum.com.
Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu, JD, PhD, is a metaphysician, master martial artist, and cultural educator. A disruptor and thought leader, she champions women’s self-protection and longevity, integrating ancient knowledge with quantum physics. Additional information about her projects is available at michellemanu.com.
The exhibit underscores the importance of recognizing women’s contributions to martial arts and history, challenging traditional narratives that have minimized their roles. By restoring accuracy and balance, the Warrior Women Exhibit aims to educate the public and honor the legacy of female warriors throughout the ages.
