Martial Arts History Museum to Open First-Ever Warrior Women Exhibit

The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, will debut the first-ever Warrior Women Exhibit on August 22, 2026, at 4 pm PDT. This installation, curated by Kumu Michelle Manu, a 10th Degree Black Belt and cultural educator, aims to highlight the critical contributions of women in warfare, cultural preservation, and the protection of indigenous lands throughout history.

According to the museum's Founder and President, Michael Matsuda, the exhibit sets a historical precedent by acknowledging that female warriors have been a significant part of martial arts history and that many wars would not have been won without them. The museum supports warrior women throughout the ages and invites the community to participate in this recognition.

Kumu Michelle Manu, a teacher and lineage architect of the sacred Hawaiian art of Lua, emphasized that the exhibit is not about adding women into history but correcting the record. For centuries, women's contributions have been minimized or obscured, and 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, including an official ribbon cutting, will be a free event open to the public. This marks the first time women are being honored in a martial arts museum. The museum, located in Glendale, California, promotes an appreciation of America's cultural diversity by using martial arts as a gateway to share how Asian history became part of American history. For more information, visit martialartsmuseum.com.

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 to unlock human potential. Further information about her projects is available at michellemanu.com.