The founding members included Aileen Riotto Sirey, then-U.S. Representative from New York Geraldine Ferraro, Matilda Cuomo (wife of Mario Cuomo, then Lieutenant Governor of New York), Donna deMatteo, Bonnie Mandina and Roseanne Colletti.
The group sought to create a national network to support the educational and professional aspirations of its members, and to combat ethnic stereotypes by promoting positive role models.
[2] NOIAW-sponsored events are educational, cultural and social in nature and focus on issues of interest to Italian American women.
In 2007 the NOIAW joined with the Italian Foreign Ministry, to establish an Exchange Program.
The organization awards scholarships each year to Italian American women for pursuit of higher education.