The Association for Women in Communications began in 1909 as Theta Sigma Phi (ΘΣΦ), an honorary society at the University of Washington.

[2][4][5] It was founded by seven female students at the University of Washington in Seattle who had entered the college's new journalism program, the second of its kind in the country.

Ruby Black, who was national president, editor of The Matrix and the first manager of an employment bureau for members, noted in 1931 that female journalists could not get reporting jobs at the same pay as similarly qualified men.

At the Theta Sigma Phi convention in 1946, delegates required all chapters to eliminate any race restrictions from their bylaws.

Jo Caldwell Meyer retired after serving as executive secretary for 24 years, leaving a legacy of leadership and personal attention to members' needs.

WICI joined the national ERA coalition to fight the mounting opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment.

Leaders protested the news blackout during the invasion of Grenada and spoke out to Congress against proposed changes to the Freedom of Information Act.

WICI joined the National Committee on Pay Equity and awarded Rep. Mary Rose Oakar of Ohio an honorary membership because of her leadership on the issue.

In early 1988, the WICI Board of Directors moved the group's headquarters to Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, to be closer to the seat of government.

The mission of the AWC Matrix Foundation, founded in 1997, is to promote the advancement of women in the communications profession by providing funds for education, research and publications.