It was the first instance of U.S. party regulars organizing as an independent political force outside their own party to support feminist principles, including the Equal Rights Amendment, reproductive rights, workplace equity, and, most controversially, a pledge to support only DFL candidates who would endorse the caucus principles.
The other founders were Cynthia Kitlinski, Yvette Oldendorf, Mary Pattock (then Bremer), Jeri Rasmussen, and Peggy Specktor.
In 1980, although she was not a candidate, Horbal won five votes for President of the United States at the Democratic National Convention, which placed her after Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, and William Proxmire (see below).
The series has featured Robin Morgan (2004), Jane Fonda (2007), Winona LaDuke (2008), Alicia Cabezudo (2009), and The Guerrilla Girls (2010), among others.
In 2008, Augsburg awarded Horbal an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters, in recognition of her work around the world, "which has given voice to women's political and social issues".