[2][3] At the time the organization was formed, Title IX had not yet passed, and women were likely to be excluded from admission to graduate schools and professional degrees and faced broad discrimination in hiring practices, or in attaining tenure.
[3] The group was formed after political scientist and activist Berenice A. Carroll circulated a letter urging women who were going to attend the American Historical Association's annual meeting in Washington, DC, in December to come together and discuss creating their own organization.
[6] Members who had joined the call to action began, with the support of CCWHP, to create regionally focused historical associations specifically for women.
In 1995, the organization changed its name to the Coordinating Council for Women in History (CCWH), uniting both the lobbying efforts and academic goals of the group.
[12] It has lobbied against the closure of feminist research centers, against homophobic policies in academia, and in favor of allowing students to participate in collective bargaining.
[12] In addition, panels discuss current events and have included talks on Roe v. Wade, welfare reform, affirmative action, and child care facilities, among others.