The Women's History Archives was founded on January 1, 1975 by three women: Anna Sigurðardóttir, Else Mia Einarsdóttir and Svanlaug Baldursdóttir. It was founded in Anna's home, on the fourth floor of a block building at Hjarðarhagi 26 in Reykjavík, and she served as its director for 20 years.

The Women's History Archives emerged as a response to the traditional view of history, which mainly emphasized the achievements of great men. The goal was to highlight the history of women and their contributions to society throughout the centuries, so that history could no longer be falsified with silence.

From the beginning, the goal for The Women's History Archives was to be housed in a larger public institution, preferably in the new house for the National Library and University Library, which was then under construction. After tireless efforts by women and their associations, that dream became a reality. When the Library opened its doors on December 1, 1994, space was reserved for the Women's History Archives on the 4th floor. It has operated within the National and University Library since then, as a special unit, with one paid employee and three people on the board. The Archives continues to work in the spirit of the policy from 1975 to increase the visibility of women in Iceland in national history through dissemination of information, special projects and the collection of private archives.

The Women's History Archives 's 50th anniversary will be celebrated throughout 2025, which is also the 50th anniversary of the Women's Year 1975 and the fateful Women's Day Off. Then numerous events will take place, with the highlight of the year at Kvennasögusafn taking place in the autumn when an extensive exhibition opens in the National and University Library. We are very much looking forward to what 2025 brings!