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History: In 1916, the first Pan American Round Table was born in San Antonio, Texas, which was founded by Florence Terry Griswold, with the support of various ladies of the community. All of them were witness of the consequences of the Mexican civil war and the confrontations on the border of the United States with México. This moved them to contribute towards peace, through friendship and the cultural interchange between the women of the continent.
Following the Pan American ideas of Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan Liberator, they saw the need to establish bridges between North, Central and South America, so that through friendship and mutual understanding, the hate and the possibilities of war between neighboring countries would be distanced.
Florence Terry Griswold, a peerless leader with an innate gift for diplomatic relations, used her contacts, her words and good faith to achieve rights and asylum for the refugees who escaped the war in México. With the help of her friends in the area, she created shelters and nutrition centers for refugee children, women and elders.
And so in this manner, the first Pan American Round Table was sworn in at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. An avid reader, Florence was inspired by the stories of Alexander Dumas on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, an inspiration that served to name her organization (a circle without a beginning nor an end, that symbolizes perpetual union, equality of opportunity and representation). The motto "One for All and All for One", used by the famous Musketeers, is the one chosen and is in use even today.
Florence Terry Griswold adopted the official title of Director General of the first Table , same that was used by the then leader of the Pan American Union. The Table used as a model the statutes of the Pan American Union, now the OAS, establishing that each member represent each one of the American republics. The cooperation with said Union served as a base to establish a firm and solid organization that even today reflects the ideals that induced its formation.
In 1921, the second Round Table was formed in Laredo, followed by the establishing of the El Paso and Austin Tables in 1922. The first Table organized in México was the one for México City in 1928, while the first one founded outside of Mexico and the United States was the one in Costa Rica in 1936.
On February 22, 1922, the first State Pan American Round Tables Convention was held at the Gunter Hotel of San Antonio, attended by the four existing Round Tables of San Antonio, Laredo, El Paso and Austin, Texas
Florence Terry Griswold died in 1941, but not before having witnessed the blossoming of her seed.
On October 23 through 27, 1944, the first International Convention was held in México City, during which the Alliance of Pan American Round Tables was formed. Delegates of thirteen USA Tables, two from Tables of México, from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, San José de Costa Rica and Havana, Cuba attended.
Currently, there are 212 active Tables, with a total of more than 7,000 members distributed between 17 countries and Puerto Rico of the American continent. For the purpose of a better administration, the Tables have been divided into six geographical zones and in some countries and states national or state associations have been formed. They are all affiliated with the Alliance and respect the statutes established by the Alliance. The Alliance officers visit the Tables from time to time and are available to offer seminars, answer questions and offer support and suggestions.
Every two years, directors, delegates and members meet in international conventions that are held in the different countries on a rotating basis.
All the Tables award scholarships to deserving students. The total amount of scholarships at the continental level during 2004-06, the Panamerican Round Tables gave more than half a million dollars in scholarships, educational support and cultural projects.
Besides awarding scholarships, many Tables maintain the following projects:
01.- Establishment of libraries.
02.- Founding of schools in remote areas.
03.- Donation of textbooks and school supplies.
04.- Presentation of cultural conferences in the community.
05.- Protection of the cultural heritage.
06.- Exhibitions of art and crafts.
07.- Celebration of national anniversaries of the countries.
08.- Participation of cultural diversity community events.
09.- Financial aid to volunteer physicians who offer free medical services..
10.- PProtection of the environment.
11.- Civil education campaigns for children and adults, etc.
Following the Pan American ideas of Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan Liberator, they saw the need to establish bridges between North, Central and South America, so that through friendship and mutual understanding, the hate and the possibilities of war between neighboring countries would be distanced.
Florence Terry Griswold, a peerless leader with an innate gift for diplomatic relations, used her contacts, her words and good faith to achieve rights and asylum for the refugees who escaped the war in México. With the help of her friends in the area, she created shelters and nutrition centers for refugee children, women and elders.
And so in this manner, the first Pan American Round Table was sworn in at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. An avid reader, Florence was inspired by the stories of Alexander Dumas on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, an inspiration that served to name her organization (a circle without a beginning nor an end, that symbolizes perpetual union, equality of opportunity and representation). The motto "One for All and All for One", used by the famous Musketeers, is the one chosen and is in use even today.
Florence Terry Griswold adopted the official title of Director General of the first Table , same that was used by the then leader of the Pan American Union. The Table used as a model the statutes of the Pan American Union, now the OAS, establishing that each member represent each one of the American republics. The cooperation with said Union served as a base to establish a firm and solid organization that even today reflects the ideals that induced its formation.
In 1921, the second Round Table was formed in Laredo, followed by the establishing of the El Paso and Austin Tables in 1922. The first Table organized in México was the one for México City in 1928, while the first one founded outside of Mexico and the United States was the one in Costa Rica in 1936.
On February 22, 1922, the first State Pan American Round Tables Convention was held at the Gunter Hotel of San Antonio, attended by the four existing Round Tables of San Antonio, Laredo, El Paso and Austin, Texas
Florence Terry Griswold died in 1941, but not before having witnessed the blossoming of her seed.
On October 23 through 27, 1944, the first International Convention was held in México City, during which the Alliance of Pan American Round Tables was formed. Delegates of thirteen USA Tables, two from Tables of México, from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, San José de Costa Rica and Havana, Cuba attended.
Currently, there are 212 active Tables, with a total of more than 7,000 members distributed between 17 countries and Puerto Rico of the American continent. For the purpose of a better administration, the Tables have been divided into six geographical zones and in some countries and states national or state associations have been formed. They are all affiliated with the Alliance and respect the statutes established by the Alliance. The Alliance officers visit the Tables from time to time and are available to offer seminars, answer questions and offer support and suggestions.
Every two years, directors, delegates and members meet in international conventions that are held in the different countries on a rotating basis.
All the Tables award scholarships to deserving students. The total amount of scholarships at the continental level during 2004-06, the Panamerican Round Tables gave more than half a million dollars in scholarships, educational support and cultural projects.
Besides awarding scholarships, many Tables maintain the following projects:
01.- Establishment of libraries.
02.- Founding of schools in remote areas.
03.- Donation of textbooks and school supplies.
04.- Presentation of cultural conferences in the community.
05.- Protection of the cultural heritage.
06.- Exhibitions of art and crafts.
07.- Celebration of national anniversaries of the countries.
08.- Participation of cultural diversity community events.
09.- Financial aid to volunteer physicians who offer free medical services..
10.- PProtection of the environment.
11.- Civil education campaigns for children and adults, etc.