Consider this plaque a portal. It connects us to a pivotal moment in Madrid’s history. We’re standing before a tribute to the Lyceum Club Femenino. This plaque marks the building that housed an extraordinary association of women. It stood here from 1926 to 1939. The Lyceum Club Femenino plaque is located on the Casa de las Siete Chimeneas. It is at the Plaza del Rey on the corner of Calle de las Infantas.
The Lyceum Club Femenino was one of Spain’s first influential women’s associations. It was founded in 1926 by María de Maeztu. She was a writer of the Novecentismo movement. The club mirrored London’s Lyceum Club. It became a hub for female intellectuals and artists. These women were part of the Generation of ’27. This group included writers, artists, and thinkers. They significantly shaped Spanish culture.
The Lyceum Club championed women’s rights. It provided a space for cultural exchange. Women gathered to discuss professional and social issues. Similar associations sprang up across Europe and the Americas. Branches opened in Barcelona, Paris, and New York.
The Madrid Lyceum quickly became a symbol of female empowerment. It attracted over 100 members initially. It organized events that celebrated women’s achievements. One notable event was the Salon de Dibujantas in 1931. Artists like Alma Tapia showcased their work there.
Key figures led the Lyceum Club Femenino. Victoria Kent and Isabel Oyarzábal served as vice-presidents. Zenobia Camprubí was the secretary. Amalia Galárraga managed the finances as treasurer. Helen Phillips acted as vice-secretary. María Martos de Baeza was the librarian. Other notable members included Clara Campoamor and Ernestina de Champourcín.
The Spanish Civil War brought the Lyceum’s activities to an end. The Franco regime dismantled the club in 1939. The dictatorship replaced it with the Club Medina. This was a Falangist organization. It promoted conservative values.
In September 2016 Madrid recognized its debt to the Lyceum Club Femenino. The city council approved the placement of this commemorative plaque. It marked the 90th anniversary of the club’s founding. The initiative is part of a broader effort. Madrid’s Memory Plan aims to honor women. They contributed to the city’s history in arts, sciences, and politics.
The Lyceum Club Femenino plaque serves as a reminder. It recalls the building’s vibrant past. It also honors the women who gathered here. They sought to advance women’s rights and cultural contributions. Today the Casa de las Siete Chimeneas is owned by the Ministry of Culture.