Lioness Bridge Program
Women have been involved in Lions for decades, first as auxiliary members of Lioness clubs and, since July 4, 1987, as full-fledged Lions. Some Lioness Clubs have chosen to remain as Lioness rather than integrate into a Lions Club. Lioness are women aged 18 to infinity who have joined together in friendship and enjoy each others company.
They pride ourselves on playing an active part in the local community, helping those less fortunate than ourselves, as well as enjoying a social life with like-minded individuals who come from all walks of life.
Lioness Clubs are part of Lions Clubs International, the largest service organization in the world. With over 1.4 million members in 44,000 communities around the globe, we take a ‘hands on role’ in improving the quality of life in the local community and the wider world.
Lioness Clubs began in America as a result of the success of the auxiliary clubs which were started for the wives of the all-male Lions Clubs. The Lioness emblem and name were approved in 1975 and membership was open to any lady over the age of 18, whether or not she was married to a Lion. The first Club to be formed was the Mount Pleasant Club, North Carolina on 24 December 1975.
Lioness Clubs are sponsored by their local Lions Club who support the activities of the Lioness Club.
Individual Clubs decide on their own way of working, providing they remain within the guidelines set down in the ‘Document of Understanding’ (the national guide book for Lionesses). Clubs organize their own events as well as deciding how best to spend the money to help their local community and we are proud to say that as an organization every penny raised from the public goes directly to charity.