The NWPA was founded on May 13, 1884, at the World Cotton Centennial in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Its aim was not only to be of practical assistance to newspaper writers, but ultimately, "to advance the interest of all professional, business, and working women of every grade.
"[1] The association was founded by Marion A. McBride, a journalist with The Boston Post who was serving as superintendent of the press for the Women's Department.
McBride planned to model its organization on that of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.
Vice presidents were Lilla Stone Pavy of the Missouri Republican, Florence M. Adkinson of the Chicago Inter Ocean and the Indianapolis Sentinel, and Mary McMillen of the Anglo American.