Dilshad S. Mohamed

Home Club: Nairobi Lavington Lions Club, Nairobi, Kenya
Years in Lions:  Served as a Lioness from 1975-1987, became a Lion in 1987.

Service Snapshot:
What do you like best about being a Lion?
Fellowship among people around the globe, leadership and self-improvement experience and the opportunity to serve humanity.

How does being a Lion make you feel?
It has given me the inner satisfaction to serve the poor. I feel proud to belong to one of the most prestigious and largest service organizations in the world. My service in Lions has earned me respect and admiration from my local community, government officials and friends and has improved my business networking as well.

What opportunities does Lions give to women?
It gives them an opportunity to build friendship with others, gain leadership experience and have opportunities for personal growth. They are able to serve the needs and welfare of children in their local community and also gain self-confidence.

Marking a Milestone
In 1987, the first year women were admitted into the association as Lions, Dilshad S. Mohamed chartered the first women’s Lions club in district 411 – the Nairobi Lavington Lions Club – with 40 charter members, a moment she considers one of her favorite Lions club memories. Throughout the years she has promoted women’s involvement in Lions clubs,  and in 2006 she held a wildly successful “Women’s Nation-Building Symposium” that has resulted in the chartering of two women’s Lions clubs and more in different stages of organization.

Mohamed has been involved with Lions since 1975, and is currently serving as the vice district governor of district 411A. She has previously served club president, zone and region chairperson,  district Leo chairperson, district extension chairperson and bulleting editor. She was also appointed the regional women’s development and participation chairperson by Immediate Past International President Ashok Mehta and has had a huge impact promoting the involvement of women in Lions in Nairobi.

Mohamed feels that being a Lion has opened up her world and helped her develop many skills. “I have been able to meet people from all over the world with whom I share a common goal to serve humanity; [people] whom I would not have otherwise met. Lionism has given me self-confidence and developed my personal leadership skills (which I share with my fellow Lions) and the ability to interact with people more effectively,” she said.  “Lions teaches one to be able to work with different people from different cultures, and the experience to interact better with others, acquire the art of public speaking, leadership skills and most of all, when you work as a club, you can reach out to more people in a more effective way and acquire self-esteem.”

Since being a Lion, Mohamed has seen more and more women being recognized for their services and being appreciated for their contributions, as well as assuming more leadership roles. As the association celebrates the 20th anniversary of women in lions, she hopes that women will continue to grow within in the association and serve on the international level in greater numbers. “Since their admission as equal partners in Lions, women have undertaken wonderful and success projects that serve their community needs and we have seen women enjoying senior leadership roles, and, most importantly, their efforts are being recognized and they can freely express their views.”

For women interested in becoming Lions, Mohamed is very encouraging. “Come! Join the world’s largest and most prestigious service organization, where apart from serving the needs of your community, you will gain friendship, knowledge, self-confidence, leadership qualities, recognition for your services and meet Lions throughout more than 200 countries!”