International Association of Lions Clubs convention panoramic photograph
Collection — Object: OBF007
Identifier: OBF007
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of one black-and-white panoramic photograph taken by Standard Photo Service Co. of the opening session of the International Association of Lions Club convention on July 16, 1946 at the Municipal Auditorium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The image shows delegates seated in the auditorium with signs indicating the state, country, or continent of origin. There is also a view of the stage, its occupants, and a very large Lions emblem, as well as people seated in the upper balcony.
Dates
- 1946/07/16
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Administrative History
The International Association of Lions Clubs, also known as as Lions Clubs International, was founded on June 7, 1917 when Chicago businessman Melvin Jones, called a meeting of local business clubs in response to social issues caused by World War I. The attendees decided to create the non-political service organization to address those problems. International conventions are held annually, the first of which occurred in 1917 in Dallas, Texas. The association officially became international with the establishment of the Border Cities Lions Club in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 1920. At that time, the Lions had 6,400 members from clubs in 23 states. The organization became involved in work to help people with vision impairments in 1925 with the encouragement of Helen Keller. The Lions was one of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help found the United Nations after World War II, as part of their commitment to lasting peace between nations. Today, the Lions have over 1.4 million members from 47,000 clubs in more than 20 countries.
The association was considered men only for several decades, though women attended the conventions. The wives of Lions Club' members often participated in auxiliary clubs. Lioness Clubs were officially approved in 1975, with membership open to any lady over the age of 18, whether or not she was married to a Lion. The clubs were sponsored by local Lions Clubs. The first Lioness Club was formed in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. In 1987, the Lions amended their constitution to allow for women to become members, though there are still all-male clubs today. The Lioness Bridge Program ended on June 30, 2021, with women being encouraged to join the Lions with the end of the program.
Lions is an acronym for "Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations' Safety." The organization's motto is "We Serve." Today, its mission is: "To empower Lions clubs, volunteers, and partners to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding."
Sources:
Item in the collection.
Lions Club International. "Lioness Bridge Program." Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/resources-for-members/resource-center/lioness-initiative.
Lions Club International. "Making History Every Day." Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/discover-our-clubs/interactive-timeline.
Lions Club International. "On a Mission to Serve." Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/discover-our-clubs/mission-and-history.
Lions Club International, British Isles District 105CE. "About Lioness Clubs." Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.lions105ce.org/lioness-clubs.html.
Wikipedia.org. "Lions CLubs International." Wikipedia. Accessed March 14, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_Clubs_International.
The association was considered men only for several decades, though women attended the conventions. The wives of Lions Club' members often participated in auxiliary clubs. Lioness Clubs were officially approved in 1975, with membership open to any lady over the age of 18, whether or not she was married to a Lion. The clubs were sponsored by local Lions Clubs. The first Lioness Club was formed in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. In 1987, the Lions amended their constitution to allow for women to become members, though there are still all-male clubs today. The Lioness Bridge Program ended on June 30, 2021, with women being encouraged to join the Lions with the end of the program.
Lions is an acronym for "Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations' Safety." The organization's motto is "We Serve." Today, its mission is: "To empower Lions clubs, volunteers, and partners to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding."
Sources:
Item in the collection.
Lions Club International. "Lioness Bridge Program." Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/resources-for-members/resource-center/lioness-initiative.
Lions Club International. "Making History Every Day." Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/discover-our-clubs/interactive-timeline.
Lions Club International. "On a Mission to Serve." Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/discover-our-clubs/mission-and-history.
Lions Club International, British Isles District 105CE. "About Lioness Clubs." Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.lions105ce.org/lioness-clubs.html.
Wikipedia.org. "Lions CLubs International." Wikipedia. Accessed March 14, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_Clubs_International.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 panoramic photograph)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of one item.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digitized item from the collection is available online in the ISL Digital Collections: https://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16066coll13/id/4626/rec/1.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2022/03/14 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid created 2022/03/14 by Brittany Kropf.
- Title
- International Association of Lions Clubs convention panoramic photograph
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
