The journal is the product of philoSOPHIA: the Society for Continental Feminism, which was founded in Tennessee in 2008—initially as the French Feminism Circle—by Kelly Oliver (Vanderbilt University) and Stacy Keltner (Kennesaw State University). The journal was established in 2011, after the society's third annual conference. The founding co-editors were Elaine Miller and Emily Zakin (Miami University).[7]
According to its founding editors, the society and journal were named after Sophia, the feminine aspect of God who fell from grace because of her love of knowledge.[8] The name serves to illustrate that women who love philosophy are not necessarily in love with the patriarchy.[9]
Since issue 9.1 (2019), the journal's cover image has been replaced, substituting the previous one with a photo collage by the artist Lorna Simpson, called Unanswerable.
