[1] Founded in 1871 under the name Algemeene Vrouwenvereeniging Arbeid Adelt, it was the first nationwide women's organisation in the Netherlands, and the eldest still operating.
[2] It was inspired by the debate over women's access to education and different professions, which had been initiated in the Netherlands by Mienette Storm-van der Chijs in the 1860s.
The names of the makers were presented along the items, which was a new phenomenon and was meant to highlight the fact that these women were also craftspeople willing to make profit.
This organisation wished to focus more on the support of less-well-off women, who were allowed to sell their works anonymously.
The association also has two funds, one for female students (the Betsy Perk-Opleidingsfonds) and one for (retired) craftswomen who cannot support themselves anymore (the Zegers Veeckenfonds).