Pan American Round Table Houston (PART Houston) was established in 1940 by Hallie Barlow Olcott. Early members included Maude Cashin, Ima Hogg, Mary Fuller and 16 others. Over these 76 years, the Houston membership has included a wide spectrum of accomplished women who are interested in furthering the knowledge of the cultures, customs, and history of the Americas. Programs include speakers from business, government, academia, science and the arts. Education continues to be a mission for the Houston Table, which sponsors and provides support through college scholarships to state and local students. Since 1995, the Houston Table has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to over 300 scholarship recipients in the Houston area.
PART Houston is one of 20 Pan American Round Tables or chapters in Texas and also belong to the Alliance of Pan American Round Tables, which includes more than 5,890 members in 213 Tables in 16 countries throughout the Western Hemisphere and Puerto Rico. The first international convention of the Alliance was held in Mexico City in 1944, and Alliance members continue to meet biannually. The 35th Biannual Convention held in October 2016 in San Antonio celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Pan American Round Table.
The Pan American Round Table is recognized by the Organization of American States (OAS).