The American Women's Literary Club began in 1922 with a small group of women from the USA who wanted to create a dynamic space for continued study, cultural sharing, and friendship in their native English language. Over the years, the club expanded to include a wide range of nationalities and interests. Many who had lived in the US at some point also felt drawn to the club in order to preserve their connection to English and to US culture.
Philanthropic Work
In its early decades, most scholarships provided by the AWLC went for girls to attend Colegio Maria Alvarado (previously called Lima High School), but as the years passed, countless other projects and organizations have received support from the club.
In 1980, the AWLC began to prioritize the education of teachers by helping young women obtain teaching degrees. For more than 30 years now, the club has provided scholarships and economic support for future teachers at the Instituto Pedagógico Nacional in Monterrico. March 8, 2012, the Instituto had the honor of being the first non university institution to recieve national accreditation from CONEACES, validating the high level of standards of the Institute.
Made up of women who believe in the power and importance of education, the club began scholarship programs for students with limited resources. To generate funds in the early fifties, club women put together their first bilingual cookbook, dedicating its proceeds to the education fund Since 1922, the AWLC has provided several generations of women a place to share and to grow, both personally and professionally, while also offering ways to contribute to the greater community. Its group of long time residents makes it easier for newcomers and its structure also gives temporary residents a chance to make the most of their stay and cultivate their talents.
In recent years, the club has supported many other projects, such as helping to build new classrooms at the Cuna Jardin "El Milagro" in Chorrillos and making scholarships available there for those with limited resources. Support has also gone to "La Alegría en el Señor," a school for handicapped students in La Molina.
Our latest project is a partnership with Enseña Peru, an organization modeled on Teach For America that commits young leaders to two years of teaching in marginalized communities, an invaluable preparation for future leaders of Peru.