LIONS JOURNEY
Experience 100 Years of Lions Service
Melvin Jones
In response to social problems created by World War I and rapid industrialization, in 1917 a Chicago businessman named Melvin Jones invited business clubs from around the USA to a meeting where the Association of Lions Clubs was formed.
Chicago Central Lions Club
Melvin Jones formed the Lions Club of Chicago, the first new Lions Club since the association began in 1917. The Chicago Lions Club, later the Chicago Central Lions Club, has been in operation ever since.
International Convention
The first Lions Clubs convention was held October 8th, 1917 in Dallas, Texas, where Melvin Jones was elected Secretary-Treasurer. Today, LCI’sInternational Convention continues to draw Lions from around the world to share in the fellowship of service.
International Presidents
Dr. William Woods was elected Lions Clubs International’s first international president at its 1917 convention. In 2016, Lions celebrated the election of their first female vice president, Gudrun Yngvadottir.
Lions Logo Evolution
The Lions Clubs International logo has evolved from the first emblem adopted in 1917 to one of the most recognizable and cherished logos in the world.
LION Magazine
The first edition of Lions Clubs Magazine was published in November 1918. The magazine–later known as LION Magazine– would go on to achieve worldwide distribution in more than 20 languages. By January 2018, all 33 international editions of LION will launch a digital magazine.
Helen Keller
During the 1925 International Convention, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Lions enthusiastically dedicated themselves to what would become a signature cause for our first 100 years of service.
The White Cane
In 1930, Lion George Bonham creates a white canewith a wide red band to aid the visually impaired after witnessing a blind man having trouble crossing the street. Since then, the white cane has become a symbol of independence to those who use it to guide their way.
Leader Dogs for the Blind
The Detroit Uptown Lions Club established a guide dog training school. Known today as Leader Dogs for the Blind, the school has graduated more than 14,500 guide dogs since 1939 and helped popularize the idea of service dogs.
LCI Forward
Lions will celebrate our first century of life-changing service in 2017. Lions Clubs International is rolling out LCI Forward to help launch our second century of service, including a new global service initiative.
RELATED VIDEO
The Founding of Lions Clubs International (6:25 minutes)
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The Impact of Melvin Jones (9:39 minutes)
International Expansion
Lions’ global expansion began in 1920 with the chartering of the Border Cities Lions Club in Windsor Canada. At the time, Lions were active in 23 U.S. states with a total of 6,400 members.
Lions in China
Melvin Jones formed the Lions Club of Chicago, the first new Lions Club since the association began in 1917. The Chicago Lions Club, later the Chicago Central Lions Club, has been in operation ever since.
Amelia Earhart
During Lions’ 1935 international convention in Mexico City, Mexico, honorary Lion Amelia Earhart became the first person to fly nonstop from Los Angeles to Mexico City, where she congratulated Lions on doing their “full share toward the furtherance of the spirt of Lionism and international relationships.”
UN Charter
In 1945, Lions assisted in drafting the NGO section of the United Nations Charter, beginning a lasting bond with the U.N. that continues to this day.
Leo Clubs
In 1957, Lions organized the first Leo Club at Abington High School in Pennsylvania, USA. Leo Clubs have since become an international program with over 6,500 clubs in over 140 countries.
LCIF
Lions Clubs International Foundation was founded In 1968 to address global causes by helping Lions and their partners serve their communities and the world. Today, LCIF has awarded nearly US$1 billion in grants to support Lions’ humanitarian projects around the world, including bringing fresh water to residents of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
Lions Welcome 1,000,000 th Member
Lions Clubs International welcomed its one millionth member in 1973. Today, there are over 1.4 million Lions in over 200 countries and geographic areas all over the world.
Specialty Clubs
In 1984, the Benton Bay Athletic Lions Club was chartered in Alaska, USA, to support local college and youth sports. This began the tradition ofspecialty Lions clubs bringing together Lions with common interests and backgrounds to meet special needs in their communities. Today specialty clubs range from preschool education to the environment, cyber clubs, veterans clubs, and more.
Women Join LCI
During the 1987 international convention in Taipei, Taiwan, Lions voted overwhelmingly to welcome women into the association. Women are now the fastest growing segment of Lions around the world.
LCI Forward
Lions will celebrate our first century of life-changing service in 2017. Lions Clubs International is rolling out LCI Forward to help launch our second century of service, including a new global service initiative.