The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, announced the opening of the Warrior Women Exhibit, a groundbreaking installation scheduled for this summer. The exhibit, curated by Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu, a 10th Degree Black Belt and cultural educator, aims to honor the often unrecognized 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 the first of its kind globally to center on women as protectors, strategists, and carriers of martial knowledge.
Dr. Manu, a teacher and lineage architect of the sacred Hawaiian art of Lua, declared, "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, including an official ribbon cutting, is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, beginning at 4:00 pm PDT at the museum in Glendale, California. This event marks the first time women are being honored in a martial arts museum. Ticket sales will be announced later.
The Martial Arts History Museum aims to promote an appreciation of America's cultural diversity by using martial arts as a gateway to share how Asian history became part of American history. More information is available at martialartsmuseum.com. Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu, a metaphysician and master martial artist, integrates ancient knowledge with quantum physics to unlock human potential. Additional information can be found at michellemanu.com.
