The Association later developed into a potent force to fight against illiteracy, child marriage, the Devadasi system and other social ills.
The faction she supported fell from favour, and her name stopped appearing in all documents from that point onward.
The name of the organization was chosen to indicate its inclusive makeup, allowing both Indian and European women to join, and lack of affiliation to any philosophy, religion, caste, or social class.
Founding members included S. Ambujammal, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Mary Poonen Lukose, Begam Hasrat Mohani, Saralabai Naik, Dhanvanthi Rama Rau, Muthulakshmi Reddy, Mangalammal Sadasivier, and Herabai Tata.
[citation needed] The Stri Dharma was the journal published by the WIA to voice its ideals and beliefs.