For more than a century, Woman's Life Insurance Society has established a rich heritage of caring for women and their families. Follow the timeline below to trace that heritage from inception to present.

1892
Twenty-five-year-old schoolteacher Bina M. West founds the Woman's Benefit Association on October 1. The Association issues first life insurance certificate on November 4. By the end of the year, 319 members are enlisted.

1893
First death benefit claim for $1,000 is paid on September 25. Membership reaches 5,500.

1897
Reserve fund is established.

1900
The Association expands from a tiny basement office to larger quarters in present Algonquin Hotel on March 2.

1902
Tenth anniversary. Membership reaches 100,000. The Association adopts the red rose as its emblem.

1904
The Association insurance plans are placed on an adequate-reserve basis.

1905
The Association becomes a legal-reserve insurance society.

1906
Reserve fund reaches $1 million. Membership exceeds 150,000.

1911
Frances D. Partridge begins her 39-year tenure as secretary. She later becomes one of the first female actuaries in the United States.

1915
Ground is broken and cornerstone is laid for the new international Home Office on Military Street. Three thousand local units exist in the United States and Canada. Hospital service is first provided to members.

1917
25th Anniversary. The Association moves to the new Home Office. Michigan Governor Albert E. Sleeper, U.S. Senator Charles E. Townsend and fraternal leaders attend the formal dedication in October. Assets reach $10 million.

1920
Dominion of Canada grants the Association a permanent license to operate within its borders. Supreme Review Convention is held in Honolulu, Hawaii, in October.

1921
Children of members are first admitted into the Association. First Chapters of Gamma Nu are organized.

1924
Membership exceeds 250,000.

1926
The Association begins its own printing shop and national magazine, Review, which includes translations for French Canadian members.

1931
Membership is offered to men in August.

1935
The Association employees miss no paydays, and all obligations are promptly paid during the bank moratorium and throughout the Great Depression.

1942
50th Anniversary. Supreme Review Convention is held in Chicago in July.

1948
Agnes E. Koob succeeds Bina West as president.

1950
Dorothy H. Needham succeeds Frances D. Partridge as secretary.

1958
Dorothy H. Needham's title is changed from secretary to secretary-treasurer.

1965
Dorothy H. Needham succeeds Agnes E. Koob as president. Doris Howse becomes secretary-treasurer.

1966
Woman's Benefit Association is renamed the North American Benefit Association. In addition, a program offering five specialized benefits begins February 1. A modern marketing department is initiated to supplement field activities.

1967
75th anniversary. The Association is the 14th largest fraternal benefit society in the United States and Canada.

1970
Doris Howse succeeds Dorothy H. Needham as president. Eleanor E. Schwikert becomes secretary-treasurer and converts business procedures to a computer system.

1975
Two-year renovation of Home Office is completed. F.C. "Tom" Barden succeeds Eleanor E. Schwikert as secretary-treasurer.

1977
Virginia E. Farmer succeeds Doris Howse as president.

1982
Joseph Haselmayer succeeds F.C. "Tom" Barden as secretary-treasurer.

1989
Home Office building is named to the Michigan State Register of Historic Buildings.

1990
Janice U. Whipple succeeds Virginia E. Farmer as president.

1992
One-hundredth anniversary. The Association receives the Spirit of Port Huron Civic Award. The Dream Divine, written by Michigan playwright Mark McPherson, commemorating the life and times of Bina West, is performed October 9. It is the centerpiece of the Gala Event -- the Association's anniversary celebration. An Enduring Heritage, a factual historic record of the Association's first 100 years, written by NFCA historian Keith Yates, is published.

1993
Bina M. West is inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame

1996
North American Benefit Association becomes Woman's Life Insurance Society, re-establishing itself as a guardian for women and their families.

1997
Diane Lofquist succeeds Joseph Haselmeyer as secretary-treasurer.

1999
Woman's Life establishes the Intuitions SM Web site to better serve its loyal members and promote itself among prospective members.

2000
Insurance in force increased to a Society record of almost $708 million.

2002
Society launches new Intuitions Whole Life plan with special focus on women and their families.

2004
Society streamlines operations with new Customer Service Department.

2004
The Society announces adoption of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign as a new National Cause in honor of the 2006 National Convention. The Society and its members have committed to raising $50,000 to support the program.

2005
Assets increased to a Society record of $175 million. Society continues A- (Excellent) rating with A.M. Best, reconfirming strong financial position and ability to meet member obligations.

2005
Intuitions Five, a Woman's Life Single Premium Deferred Annuity, is introduced in December.

2006
Intuitions Single Premium Whole Life Product introduced in May.

2006
Intuitions Flex Annuity introduced in June.