ALLIANCE OF PAN AMERICAN ROUND TABLES ZONE 1
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE:
Mrs. Florence Terry Griswold formed the Alliance Pan American Round Tables on October 16, 1916 in San Antonio, Texas. The women, who become members of this non-profit organization of the Western Hemisphere, dedicate themselves to promoting education, encouraging mutual understanding, friendship and knowledge of cultures between the people of the American Continent and promoting peace.
FLORENCE TERRY GRISWOLD:
Florence Terry Griswold was born on May 29, 1875 near Eagle Pass, Texas. Her family settled on ranch holdings called “La Pendencia” located between Eagle Pass and Carrizo Springs, Texas. In 1914 she married her second husband John Case Griswold (her first husband, Felix Shaw, died in 1908, they had four children). They lived in San Antonio, Texas.
During the political revolution in Mexico, many women and children fled across the border. Mrs. Griswold made plans to help them by rallying her friends and associates, who gave of themselves unsparingly and did a great deal to alleviate the suffering and provide sanctuary for all who needed shelter and food. This is where Mrs. Griswold started the Pan American movement and in her own words stated “to cement a close and everlasting friendship with the women of the Western Hemisphere”.
ALLIANCE – OAS (ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES):
The Alliance Pan American Round Tables was officially rgistered in the OAS as a Civil Society in 2001 and having participated since then in OAS activities. The Organization of American States brings together the nations of the Western Hemisphere to strengthen cooperation on democratic values, defend common interests and debate the major issues facing the region and the world. The OAS consists of 35 member countries from its original 21 charter members in 1948.
Founder
Florence Terry Griswold
OAS
My Dear Pan American Sisters – Greetings!
This article culminates my tenure as the Alliance Zone 1 Director. It’s unbelievable that it has been two years since being elected.
My obligations have been met and the work has been accomplished. I have had the opportunity to travel to Oklahoma, Florida, Washington, D.C. and Texas. Visiting the Tables in these states has given me the opportunity to meet many gifted and talented women. I have been able to see the labor of work being performed by the Tables. Each Table is unique in the way it goes about reaching the goals of our organization – knowledge, understanding and friendship. Each Table keeps growing, slowly, in membership, increasing scholarship amounts and promoting the movement that our founder, Florence Terry Griswold envisioned.
Florence Terry Griswold, the dreamer, patriot, idealist, realist and visionary.
One might suggest that this woman was prepared by Divine intervention to look down the corridors of time and visualize a continued need to, in her own words, “Cement a close and everlasting friendship with the women of the Western Hemisphere”.
I want to thank all of you for answering my emails and requests in a timely manner. You have done such an excellent job representing your Table and all its members. All of you have made my job much easier with all your help and friendship…keep up the great work that all of you do for our organization.
Our organization has gone through all the changes it has undergone and we have SURVIVED. The meeting of minds and hearts from all the Americas is an enriching experience which we are privileged to share.
Share your knowledge. Reach out beyond yourself and gain understanding until, we are:
“One for All and All for One”
“Una para Todas y Todas para Una”
Elsie Perez
Alliance Zone 1 Director
USA
2008-2010