The Icelandic Women's Rights Association (IWRA) was founded on January 27th 1907. The aim was to fight for women's rights, primarily at that time women's suffrage. Already in 1908 women gained local suffrage and the right to hold office. National suffrage come in 1915 for women 40 years and older along with the right to hold office.

It was Bríet Bjarnhéðinsdóttir, along with other activists, that founded IWRA, in her home in Reykjavík. Mrs. Bjarnhéðinsdóttir was also the first chairman of the Association and held that office until 1927 when her daughter, Laufey Valdimarsdóttir took over the post.