The national organization of the Older Women's League (O.W.L.) started in 1980 at the conclusion of the first White House Mini-Conference on Older Women, held in Des Moines, Iowa in October. The first local chapter was organized in Louisville, Kentucky in 1981.

Kansas was one of four states in 1984 to adopt model legislation drafted by O.W.L. regarding health insurance rights. The Kaw Valley chapter of O.W.L., located in Lawrence, Kansas, was founded in 1989.

The Older Women's League is a national grassroots organization devoted to issues particularly affecting women as they age. Topics the organization has focused on nationally and at the local level have included health care reform, the threat of Social Security privitization and more generally ensuring women have adequate financial support in their elder years, adequate housing and transporation, caregiver support, mental health, and ensuring aging individuals can maintain independence and control, including regarding end of life decisions.

The Kaw Valley O.W.L. met monthly for most months of the year, taking the summers off. Programs focused on a wide variety of topics of interest to midlife and older women and men. The group also maintained close ties with other groups and services in the area, including the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging and the Douglas County Senior Services, and programs some months would be joint efforts, including legsilative action days.

Mottoes used by O.W.L. have included "Give a hoot!" and "Don't Agonize - Organize!" The national organization published annual Mother's Day reports on a wide variety of topics, in addition to other advocacy efforts that local chapters tapped into.

As of the winter of 2017, the national organization and local Kaw Valley chapter were defunct.