Pan American Round Table of Austin

10/12/2026

PART of Austin kicked off the 2026–27 year with great enthusiasm and an exciting start!

This month’s program featured our own PART member, Marcia Lucas, who shared a fascinating presentation about her documentary-in-progress, Woven Voices. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about her project and the stories she is bringing to life through this work.

We also celebrated our members with September and October birthdays with the traditional singing of Las Mañanitas—a joyful reminder of the friendships and connections that make PART so special.

Our first fundraiser of the year was also a success, thanks to the incredible generosity and support of our members. It’s a wonderful way to begin the new year together—with enthusiasm, purpose, and a strong sense of community!

10/09/2026

Support PART of Austin!
Your participation helps us make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and individuals in our community. Bring your friends, invite your family, and enjoy shopping for a great cause!

Consuela is generously donating 20% of sales to benefit PART of Austin’s charitable efforts.

Every purchase makes a difference. We hope to see you there! 🛍️✨

08/01/2026

Members of PART-Austin enjoyed an inspiring tour of the Blanton Museum’s American Modernism from the Charles Butt Collection: From Edward Hopper to Alma Thomas, led by docent Laraine Lasdon.

Through Laraine’s engaging presentation, members gained a deeper understanding of Abstract Expressionism and its emphasis on emotion, movement, and personal interpretation. The experience encouraged everyone to look beyond recognizable images and appreciate art from a fresh perspective.

It was an afternoon of learning, thoughtful conversation, and renewed appreciation for the many ways art can inspire us.

07/16/2026

We're delighted to announce the recipients of the PART Austin Angela and William Bracken Scholarship! These two outstanding students distinguished themselves among an impressive group of applicants, and we wish them every success as they begin their college journey.

Our sincere thanks to Angela Bracken for establishing this scholarship and investing in students who deserve every opportunity to pursue their educational goals. Her generosity is making a lasting difference in their lives and in our community.

07/10/2026

Not only did Clara Driscoll help preserve the remaining Alamo structures, but she also led the group of women who organized the Pan American Round Table of Austin on January 30, 1922. A true woman ahead of her time, Clara Driscoll became our first Director, leaving a legacy of leadership, vision, and service that continues to inspire us today.

In 1903, the Long Barracks building adjacent to the Alamo chapel in San Antonio was slated for demolition to make way for a hotel. A group of women organized by Adina De Zavala, granddaughter of Lorenzo de Zavala, had been fighting to preserve the remaining Alamo structures for years. When the purchase agreement to save the property was about to collapse for lack of funds, a 22-year-old heiress named Clara Driscoll wrote a personal check to cover the shortfall. She would eventually spend nearly $75,000 of her own money to secure the property, an extraordinary sum in 1903. Without her intervention, the building behind the famous chapel would have been a hotel annex. 💰

Clara Driscoll was the daughter of a South Texas cattle and oil baron, educated in Europe, a published novelist, and politically connected enough to be a national committeewoman for the Democratic Party. She was not a quiet figure waiting in the wings. After securing the Alamo property, she turned the deed over to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, which administered the site for over a century. The Texas Legislature formally recognized her as the Savior of the Alamo in 1905. She was 24 years old. Her name is almost entirely absent from the popular telling of the Alamo story.

The rest of her life was just as full. She renovated the Driscoll Hotel in Corpus Christi, which still bears her name and still operates today. She was a major Democratic Party fundraiser and supporter of Franklin Roosevelt's presidential campaigns. She painted, she wrote, she built. She died in 1945. The Alamo, the institution that draws millions of visitors a year and generates endless argument about who owns the Texas story, exists in its current form largely because a 22-year-old woman wrote a check when no one else would. That seems worth knowing. ✍️

05/16/2026

Our members continue to shine, and congratulations are in order!

Marian J. Barber, who earned her PhD in U.S. History from The University of Texas at Austin, recently had her dissertation published as a book. "Texan Crucible", published by University of Texas Press, explores the history of European immigrants in Texas and how they redefined racial identity. The book will be available on June 9, 2026.

Congratulations also to Yohana Saucedo, founder of YSL Immigration Lawyers, who was recognized with an award by Austin Woman Magazine for her dedication as an immigration lawyer, committed to helping her clients achieve the American dream with integrity and compassion.

05/15/2026

At our May meeting, we proudly awarded scholarships to six outstanding students. Meeting them in person and hearing firsthand about their hardships, resilience, and dedication to achieving their educational goals was truly inspiring.

We extend our gratitude to the Scholarship Committee under the leadership of Christina Aimard, Angela Bracken for generously funding a brand-new scholarship for high school students, and all our members and community supporters who help make these opportunities possible.

We are incredibly proud of these students and wish them continued success in all they do!

www.austinpanam.com/scholarships

05/14/2026

At our May meeting, Francesca Forno-Armstrong, librarian at Rodriguez Elementary , shared a heartfelt presentation expressing the school’s appreciation to PART of Austin.
As strong supporters of education, our members volunteer at the school by reading to students, assisting the librarian with special events, and helping organize books in the library. Each May, we are also proud to donate Scholastic gift cards to the teachers so they can purchase new books for their classroom libraries and inspire a love of reading in their students.
Barbara Mott, former librarian of Rodriguez Elementary, is a member of our Table and keeps her connection to the school through her volunteer work.

05/13/2026

Our last luncheon of the year was a true delight and a wonderful celebration of friendship, service, and achievement. Director Carmen Guerra led the business meeting, Edna Santos carried the flags, and Esther Diaz shared a poem in honor of Cinco de Mayo. We also had the joy of awarding our scholarships and recognizing members who are completing their terms as officers and committee chairs. A special thank you to Sylvia Williams for the delicious sangría — and to everyone who made the day so memorable and fun!