Chicago, Oct 19: Terry D'Souza, wife of past district governor and current governor of district 1-A, Mother District of Lionism - Austin Prabhu, has been elected today by the cabinet as its II vice district governor for the year 2012-2013 during its second cabinet meeting held at the Scottish Home, North Riverside.
Past District Governor Mike Smigielski made her nomination speech and region chairperson Brenda Guttierrez made seconding speech. Then the election was held and she was elected with majority of votes needed by the constitution and by-laws of Lions Clubs International.
This is the first time Indian born woman becomes vice district governor in District 1-A. After the election, newly elected second vice district governor Terry thanked all the members. Now Austin and Terry are creating new records in the history in Lionism of Chicago land.
Terry D’Souza joined the Broadview Kala Sampath Lions Club as a charter member and has since then been a member of the board of directors, vice-president, president, co-secretary, membership chair, Tail Twister, Candy Day chairperson for the last seven years and for the last four years is the secretary of the club. She has maintained perfect attendance for the last 17 years.
She has been a District 1-A zone chairperson for four years, District 1-A USA/Canada Leadership Forum chairperson for seven years, 2009-10 Long Range Planning Committee and is currently a member of the Global Membership team.
The club has honored her with a Lions Clubs International Melvin Jones Fellow and Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellow. In 2006 Broadview Kala Sampath Lions Club merged with The Forest Lions Club and now this club is known as ‘The Forest Kala Sampath Lions Club’. Terry has chaired many other committees, including Community Service Award Committee. In 2009, Terry received Life Time Voluntary Service Award from United States President George Bush for her dedication and hard work in Indian Community in Chicago. She has also received several appreciation certificates and awards from many past district governors.
Terry has a Master’s degree in counseling psychology and is retired after working for 31 years as administrator for Cook County Hospital mainly in the departments of psychiatry, adult emergency room, internal medicine and family practice. Cook County Hospital now called Stroeger Hospital in Chicago.
Terry is married to past district governor Austin D’Souza for 32 years and is involved in most facets of Lionism including serving District 1-A as a first lady in 2004-05 and now currently in 2012-2013. While Austin was MD1 vice council chairman, Lion Terry was responsible for finding service activities for council spouses by arranging various indoor and outdoor service projects during council meetings. Terry has four children – Anita, Anil, Atina and Angel - All four were Leos while they were young and now all four are Lions.
Angel was recently, about one month ago, the first person in the 95 year history of Lionism to be inducted at the gravesite of Lions International founder Melvin Jones and his wife Lillian. Terry and Austin live in Forest Park and are involved in many other community services and activities.