Pam Zicko, Linda Ahronian, Louise Kirkpatrick, Liza Zais, Gina Stucchi and Doreen Martel…. Residents of Holliston will recognize these women’s names because they have all been recognized as Citizen of the Year for Holliston. But there’s something you may not know.
These women also are part of the world’s largest service organization, Lions Clubs International (LCI). The Holliston Lions Club became part of LCI in 1941. At that time, women were not allowed to be part of Lions, despite the fact Lions obtained their mission — eradicating blindness — from a woman, specifically, Helen Keller. It is also worth noting that the “Lions Toast”, which is unique to Massachusetts and reads simply “Not above you, not beneath you but with you” was written by the wife of a Lions Club member in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Women in Lions: A Complex History
Helen Keller became known as “the First Lady of Lionism” and her trusted companion, Annie Sullivan became known as the “Second Lady”. This occurred in 1925 after Helen Keller challenged Lions Clubs Members to become “Knights of the Blind” at their International Convention. While these were largely honorary titles, it is worth noting that LCI had a by-law in place which prohibited women from becoming members of a Lions Club.
Because so many spouses were assisting their husbands with Lions activities, these ladies were known collectively as “Lioness”. However, these women were part of an “informal group” having no recognition by Lions Clubs International.
It would not be until the 1975 Lions year, that LCI officially adopted the Lioness program. Lioness offered membership to women who were interested in Community Service without regard to whether their spouses were Lions Clubs members. The first “official” Lioness Club was formed on December 24, 1975 in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. Lioness Clubs members were not considered Lions members, instead Lioness were considered a service project of the all-male Lions Clubs.
Change Comes Slowly and with Some Painful Moments
During their 1987 convention, an official vote was taken to admit women to Lions Clubs officially. LCI was the first service organization to admit women to their membership.
While women were officially able to become members, thousands of male Lions Club members resigned their membership when the first women joined their local Lions Club.
One of the challenges faced by these new women Lions was the ability to accept leadership roles. Without meeting the constitutional requirements of being a President of a Lions Club, women were unable to move into District, Multiple District or International leadership positions. This process would take time, energy and a willingness of the male members of Lions Clubs to allow women to move up “in the ranks”.
The first women joined LCI on July 4, 1987. In 1991, the first woman served as District Governor of her District in France. In 1999, the first woman was elected as a Director of LCI, her home club was in Pakistan.
In our immediate area, it took 14 years from the time women were accepted as members – 2001 – when we elected our first female District Governor. Lion Bette Purvis, a Medfield Lion, served as the first women District Governor in District 33K, the District of which the Holliston Lions Club is a part.
Great Strides in Leadership
While Bette may have served as the first female District Governor, she was not to be the last. Since then, this position has been filled by Rita Pierce (Hopkinton), Joyce Hogan (Quincy), Pat Kalicki (Medway), Margaret Menard (Hyde Park) and Doreen Martel (then a member of Franklin) Deb Hayes (Millis), Dawn Rice-Norton (Medway), Dr. Deb Wayne (Malden), Ivette Mesmar (Wellesley Centennial Lions Club) Diana Faust (our current District Governor from Medway). After Diana, we have two more women in line who we anticipate will serve as District Governors between now and 2027.
Today, the Holliston Lions Club has 72 members. There are 26 women in the Club, many of them holding leadership roles. As we celebrate Women’s History Month it is worth remembering that women we all know have made a difference in our communities by selflessly giving of their time, energy, and efforts. Women in Lions have made a difference by bringing different viewpoints, and being willing to explore new and exciting service opportunities and fundraising options to the Lions.
If you want to learn more about the Holliston Lions Club, please visit their website using this link.
Sign up and get automatic delivery of headlines to your inbox.
Thank you for subscribing!
