Located in San Francisco's Sunset District, SFWA is a nonprofit organization that welcomes all genders, while specifically serving women artists.
After the earthquake, the group began to exhibit men's work regularly, and in 1915 it merged with the San Francisco Art Association to create a coed organization.
During World War II, the SSFWA partnered with the Red Cross to help rehabilitate servicemen in local hospitals.
In 1976, the SFWA and Labaudt were commended by the Senate for their "outstanding contributions to the cultural enhancement of the City of San Francisco.
After moving galleries multiple times in the 1980s and 90s, the organization held two landmark exhibitions, "Hands and Heart, the Art of Healing" in 1997 and "To Life" in 1998, which received praise from First Lady Hillary Clinton.
[2] Members have included the artists Amy D. Flemming,[4] M. Evelyn McCormick, Helen Hyde, Dorr Bothwell, Claire Falkenstein, Ruth Asawa, Vera Allison,[5] Imogen Cunningham, Emmy Lou Packard,[6] Matilda Lotz, Clara Taggart MacChesney, Mona Beaumont,[7] Billie Levy,[7] Elizabeth Quandt,[7] Beth van Hoesen,[7] Louise McGinley,[7] Leah Schwartz,[7] Stefanie Steinberg,[7] Jean Murray,[7] Mercedes Smith,[7] Sophie Van Bourg,[7] Michelle Wyler,[7] and Ruth Bernhard.