Wellington Lions Vice President Noemi Pena welcomes Lion Rudie Tate to the podium to present his program during the Aug. 3 meeting. A local historian, Tate explained that 2020 is the 100th anniversary of women earning the right to vote in all elections held in the United States. (The Red River Sun/Bev Odom)
By Bev Odom/The Red River Sun—
WELLINGTON — “Women earned the most important privilege on Aug. 6, 1920,” said Lion Rudie Tate at the Aug. 3 meeting of the Wellington Lions Club. “Women not only will be eligible to vote but earned the right to serve in offices as well. My grandmothers were both 50 years old before they could vote. Finally, 300 years after the Mayflower landed at Cope Cod Nov. 9, 1620 on the northeastern coast of North America, all women can legally vote in the United State of America.”
Assistant Boss Lion Noemi Pena presided at the meeting in the fellowship hall of the Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Lions Neal and Bev Odom led the pledges, and Lion Jeff Thomas offered the invocation.
Lions Rudie and Karon Tate both have August birthdays and are celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary. Pena led in singing “Happy Birthday” and “Old MacDonald’s Farm” prior to Geney Gulley serving the evening meal.
Lion Nancy Harris presented the minutes of the July 20 meeting, and Lion Neal Odom gave the financial report. The Lions will make a $100 memorial donation in memory of Teresa Jones Maas, daughter of former Lion Frank Jones.
Pena reported that the Wellington Lions recently sent 120 pairs of donated eyeglasses to the recycling center in Midland.
“We are very grateful to the community for helping collect old glasses for this purpose,” Pena said.
Lion Melanie McLain recruited volunteers to make homemade ice cream and to assist with the chili cheese hot dog and ice cream drive-thru fundraiser set for Aug. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the south side of the Methodist Church.
Other Lions present were Sweetheart Jayla Kilgore, Nita Day, Fraya Hammons, Shirley Henard, Angela McDanel, Gene Pena, Linda Powell, Janie Thomas and Margret Wood.
