History

The origins of our Association date back to 1963, when an American woman arriving from Tokyo — having been part of a Spanish-speaking group there — wondered if she could find something similar in Singapore. She placed an ad in the newspaper inviting anyone who spoke Spanish to join her for coffee at her home. A group of women came, the gathering was a success, and they agreed to meet again.

As the group grew, the meetings became monthly, and the community began referring to itself as the “Spanish Club” or “Latin Club.” Although not yet officially registered, several attempts were made to formalise it under the name "Spanish Club".

On October 28, 1978, the Association was officially founded and registered as the Spanish Speaking Women’s Association. The first executive committee elected consisted of: Olga Yarrow (Colombia), Elvi Talbot (Spain), Blanca Nuckols (Mexico), Amparo Stain (Mexico), and Yolanda Maggio (Bolivia).

From the beginning, our mission has remained constant: to foster friendship, promote the Spanish language, and support one another — values that continue to guide us with pride. Over the years, the Association has thrived thanks to the friendships formed here, the affection we share, and the dedication of all who contribute to its success.

What began as a small group of about thirty women grew to seventy in the year of its founding, and today averages around one hundred members annually. The bonds created in our Association are strong, and many women from diverse countries who joined us over the decades are now part of our extended global community.