Membership includes a diverse group of journalists, independent authors and professional communicators representing newspapers, radio and television stations, new media, publishing companies, public relations firms, corporations, academic institutions and government.

Formerly known as the American Newspaper Women's Club, it was founded on April 4, 1932, by Kate Scott Brooks of The Washington Post,[1] and other respected female journalists of the time.

[2] Historically among these were Amelia Earhart, Alice Marriott, Marjorie Merriweather Post, Evalyn Walsh McLean, Clare Booth Luce and Eleanor Roosevelt among many others.

[3][4] Until recently every first lady since Mrs. Herbert Hoover has been a member including Pat Nixon, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Betty Ford and Laura Bush.

[6][7] The Club is also known for its history of awarding scholarships to aspiring young women journalists from local area universities and for its signature educational, "newsmaker", authors and "Meet the Ambassadors" programs held at the Clubhouse.