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The
Lyceum and Lawn Tennis Club was a women's organization
in Cuba dedicated to the promotion of cultural
understanding, women's issues, social welfare,
and women's athletics. It was formed when two
Havana women's clubs, the Lyceum and the "Tennis
de Señoritas," merged in 1939. The
Lyceum and Lawn Tennis Club hosted art exhibitions,
lectures, conferences, vocational classes, and
a library. It's strong emphasis on social welfare
led to the creation of the School of Social Service
at the University of Havana. The club was also
recognized as a nuturing environment for emerging
and established Cuban intellectuals and artists.
In
1968, the Lyceum and Lawn Tennis Club was shut
down by the Castro government. Led by María
Luisa Guerrero, several members continued meeting
in exile in Miami. In the early 1980s, the Cuban
Heritage Collection canvassed former Lyceum members
to collect their memorabilia, photographs, exhibition
programs, newsletters, and yearbooks. It is the
over 300 items generously donated by former members
that comprise the Lyceum and Lawn Tennis Club
Collection.
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