[6] Through the efforts of its approximately 400 members,[7] the IAWM continues the work of its parent organizations to achieve its cultural and educational mission of gender equity.
[13] In another effort toward ending gender discrimination, the IAWM led successful boycotts of the American concerts of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the 1990s.
Notable composers who have received IAWM new music awards include Jennifer Higdon, Andrea Clearfield, Cynthia Folio, Mary Jane Leach, Victoria Bond, Anne LeBaron, Nina C. Young, Paula Matthusen, Li Yiding, Dorothy Chang, Stacy Garrop, Jeeyoung Kim, HyeKyung Lee, and Patricia Morehead.
The Pauline Oliveros New Genre Prize is for works incorporating innovative form or style, such as improvisation, multimedia, use of non-traditional notation, open instrumentation, or new performance practices.
The Judith Lang Zaimont Prize is for an extended instrumental composition—large solo or chamber works—by a composer at least 30 years old whose music has not yet been recorded or published.
They are awarded biannually and recognize the authors of books, articles, reference materials and other publications for their excellence in scholarship about women in music.