Lyceum and Lawn Tennis Club (1929–39: Lyceum) was a Cuban women's cultural, social, and physical fitness organization. Founded in 1929 in Havana, its first president was the journalist, suffragist and feminist, Berta Arocena de Martínez Márquez. The society established Cuba's first free public library, first children's library, and first course of instruction for librarians.
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Early history
Modeled after similar Spanish women's social organizations, the Lyceum was founded in Havana by Berta Arocena, Carmen Castellanos, Dulce María Castellanos, Carmelina Guanche, Rebeca Gutiérrez, Matilde Martínez Márquez, Lillian Mederos, Reneé Méndez Capote, Sarah Méndez Capote, María Teresa Moré, Alicia Santamaría, Ofelia Tomé, and María Josefa Vidaurreta in 1929. Arocena served as the first president. Similar liberal and cultural societies of the period included the Union Club and the Vedado Tennis Club, which likewise predominantly consisted of Cuban members.
Merger
In 1939, Lyceum merged with "Tennis de Señoritas" and was renamed the Lyceum and Lawn Tennis Club. The organization's concentration included "education, public service, art, music, and democratic organization". It published a monthly magazine, Revista Lyceum, of which Mirta Aguirre served as assistant editor-in-chief. The Lyceum founded the country's first free public library and Cuba's first children's library, as well as offering the first librarian training class. The Lyceum also hosted notable art events in its exhibition hall, such as that of Pablo Picasso in 1942.
Dissolution and legacy
The government of Fidel Castro disbanded the society in 1968 and many of its members were exiled to other countries. The Cuban Women's Club (1968-), formed in Miami, Florida, US, is modeled after the Lyceum and Lawn Tennis Club.