09/25/2007: "Lion's Club International Report #11"

Spotlight on Helen Keller...

t is estimated that 30% of all Lions service projects each year are in the field of sight. All related projects are now incorporated in the Sight First program. It may be a living tribute to Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan because of their stirring speeches at the Ninth Annual Convention of Lions Clubs International on June 30, 1925 in Cedar Point, Ohio.

After a riveting speech given by Anne Sullivan describing Helen Keller’s early childhood, the way she learned to name objects and to speak, Helen Keller began her speech, with Anne Sullivan repeating the words:

“Dear Lions and Ladies,

I suppose you have heard the legend that represents opportunity as a capricious lady who knocks at every door but once, and if the door isn’t opened quickly, she passes on, never to return. And that is as it should be. Lovely, desirable ladies won’t wait. You have to go out and grab ‘em.

I am your opportunity. I am knocking at your door. I want to be adopted. The legend doesn’t say what you are to do when several beautiful opportunities present themselves at the same door. I guess you have to choose the one you love best. I hope you will adopt me. I am the youngest here, and what I offer you is full of splendid opportunities for service.

Try to imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly stricken blind today. Picture yourself stumbling and groping at noonday as in the night, your work, your independence, gone. In that dark world wouldn’t you be glad if a friend took you by the hand and said, “Come with me and I will teach you how to do some of the things you used to do when you could see?’

You have heard how through a little word dropped from the fingers of another, a ray of light from another soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself, found the world, found God. It is because my teacher learned about me and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me that I am able to work for myself and for others. It is the caring we want more than money. The gift without the sympathy and interest of the giver is empty. If you care, if we can make the people of this great country care, the blind will indeed triumph over blindness.

Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind children untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness? I thank you.”

Helen Keller was made an Honorary Member of Lions International making Helen the first Lady Lion of the continent. Anne Sullivan was recognized as the second Honorary member of Lions International.

At the 1925 convention the delegates passed a resolution declaring Sight Conservation and Work for the Blind one of Lionism’s major activities. In 1976, the wording was changed to Sight Conservation and Work with the Blind, to reflect Lions’ consideration for the independence of the visually handicapped.

Credit given to Paul Martin, author of the book, WE SERVE: A History of the Lions Clubs, 1991.