The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, announced the opening of the Warrior Women Exhibit, a groundbreaking installation that highlights the often unrecognized role of women in warfare, cultural preservation, and protection of indigenous lands. The exhibit, curated by Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu, a 10th Degree Black Belt and lineage architect of the Hawaiian art of Lua, is set to debut on August 22, 2026, at 4 pm PDT with a free gala and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
According to Michael Matsuda, Founder and President of the museum, the exhibit sets a historical precedent by recognizing female warriors as a significant part of martial arts history. “Not only are female warriors a significant part of martial arts history but many wars would not have been won without them,” Matsuda said. “We are here to let the community know we support warrior women throughout the ages.”
The Warrior Women Exhibit is the first of its kind globally to center on women as protectors, strategists, and carriers of martial knowledge. Dr. Manu emphasized that the exhibit is not about adding women into history but 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,” she stated.
The event marks the first time women are being honored in a martial arts museum, and it aims to restore what was never missing: women’s integral roles in martial traditions. The museum, which promotes appreciation of America’s cultural diversity through martial arts, sees this exhibit as a vital step in sharing how Asian history became part of American history. For more information about the museum, visit martialartsmuseum.com.
Dr. Kumu Michelle Manu, a metaphysician, master martial artist, and cultural educator, brings her expertise as a disruptor and thought leader in women’s self-protection and longevity. Her work integrates ancient knowledge with quantum physics to unlock human potential. Additional details about her projects can be found at michellemanu.com.
The Warrior Women Exhibit Gala is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, beginning at 4:00 pm PDT at the Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California. The event is free and open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to witness the restoration of women’s rightful place in martial arts history.
