The LFDF was founded by Maria Deraismes, one of the leading feminists in France of the time.
Deraismes therefore left the Association pour le Droit des Femmes and founded the LFDF.
Eventually, the split resulted in Richiers association being replaced by LFDF as a leading women's movement in France.
After the death of Deraismes in 1894, the LFDF became a leading feminist force in France and issued a strong campaign from women suffrage.
It arranged a women's rights congress in 1896 and three in 1900, making resolutions in support of complete equality between the sexes.