The International Association of Hispanists (IAH), founded in Oxford, Great Britain, in 1962, is a non-profit organization that promotes "the advancement of Hispanic studies in all countries and the study of matters of common interest relating to peninsular and Ibero-American languages and literatures and the cultural aspects related to them" (Statutes, art. 3). In 2015, it was registered in the National Registry of Associations of the Ministry of the Interior in Madrid, Spain.
IAH is managed by a Board of Directors (headed by a President) and organizes a triennial congress, during which the members of the Board of Directors are renewed.
In July 2025, the IAH will hold its 22nd congress in Santiago, Chile, and the seal will be presented during the General Assembly. Previous conferences, held in Neuchâtel (2023), Jerusalem (2019), Münster (2016), Buenos Aires (2013), Rome (2010), Paris (2007), Monterrey (2004), New York (2001), Madrid (1998), Birmingham (1995), Irvine (1992), Barcelona (1989), Berlin (1986), Providence (1983), Venice (1980), Toronto (1977), Bordeaux (1974), Salamanca (1971), Mexico City (1968), Nijmegen (1965), and Oxford (1962), reflect the variety and breadth of international Hispanism "from a global and borderless perspective," as one of its presidents, Aldo Ruffinatto, pointed out in 2012, when commemorating the Association's first 50 years.
The current president, Gloria Chicote, wanted to highlight all the members who have been part of the AIH and all the women throughout the world who have dedicated their lives to promoting Hispanic studies and Hispanic studies. With this in mind, the idea arose to combine a commemorative stamp that pays tribute to all women Hispanists through those who have served as presidents of the AIH. Under the banner "Women Hispanists," two distinguished professors and researchers, eminent figures in international Hispanism, both presidents of the AIH, Ana María Barrenechea (1977-1980) and Lía Schwartz (1998-2001), are featured.
By including this stamp in its program, Correos is raising awareness of the importance of highlighting the work of women in the fields of humanities and Hispanic studies, both nationally and internationally.