About Us
Who We Are
Since 1916, Pan American Round Tables have been committed to fostering “knowledge, understanding and friendship among the peoples of the Western Hemisphere.” Pan American Round Table of San Antonio (PART-SA) is the founding Table of the international Alliance of Pan American Round Tables, which now includes more than 200 Tables across 17 nations in North and South America. We are a non-sectarian, nonpartisan, non-profit women’s organization working for peace, community service and women’s education.
Our History
The Pan American Round Table was founded in San Antonio in 1916. In 2016 we proudly hosted the international centennial convention of our organization. After 107 years, we are still serving our community helping students pursue their educational dreams and providing help in a number of ways for women and children.
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The first Table was founded here by Mrs. Florence Terry Griswold on October 16, 1916, to assist women and children fleeing persecution in Mexico. She became aware of the need for a better understanding among the peoples of the Americas. Her vision of an international organization of women “united in a close and everlasting friendship” became PART!
We were modeled closely after the Pan American Union, which in 1945 became the Organization of American States, the OAS. The Alliance of Pan American Round Tables is a recognized and registered civil society of the OAS.
Florence Terry Griswold
The round table represents the medieval concept of a circle with no beginning and no end, symbolizing unity, perpetuity, equal representation and opportunity. Our motto “One for all and all for one; Una para todas y todas para una” was written by Alexander Dumas.
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Our organization grew outward from San Antonio with Tables in Laredo and El Paso in 1921 and in Austin in 1922. Today there are more than 200 Pan American Round Tables in 17 countries and Puerto Rico.
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The Pan American Round Table of San Antonio is a dynamic organization whose history is rich with service, vision, and diversity.
