Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Mathur.
Hi Gloria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I joined the Lions in 2007 to serve the community after I attended and volunteered a Sports Extravaganza for Visually impaired and physically handicapped children. This event provides children with the opportunity to enjoy recreation in a safe, welcoming, and non competitive environment—where fun and participation take center stage. The fitness, health, and sports needs of children who are blind or visually impaired are the same as those of their sighted peers, and they deserve equal opportunities to thrive. KidSight Vision Program: I became the Lions Club President and the desire to make an impact in the community especially vision screening for children in the underserved communities. Developed a program by purchasing a SPOT device that measures the childrens acuity automatically in few seconds. Collborated with Headstart schools in Dallas area to conduct vision screening for pre-school children. Since its inception in 2025 we have conducted free vision screenings for over 12,000 children. Over 20% of these children had vision problems and were referred provided remedial corrections with eye glasses or other solutions referred by an Optometrist.
Diabetes Awareness and Wellness Now (DAWN) project: After community needs assessment another area that needed attention was access to health and diabetes care for the underserved communities in south Dallas area as they lack insurance. Applied for a grant from Lions foundation and started Diabetes Awareness and Wellness Now (DAWN) project. In collaboration with Baylor Scott and White Center and later with UT Southwest Medical Center organized Diabetes and Health Screenings for the underserved community every other month. Over 1,500 people have taken advantage of this program and several hundred were provided with Diabetes Awareness Education especially those with pre-diabetes condition.
I also serve as Secretary/Director of Multi-Ethnic Education and Economic Development (MEED) Center. Our mission is to empower low-to-moderate income individuals through entrepreneurial pathways, including business development, education, and job training. We strive to alleviate hunger and promote well-being by providing free health screenings for the underprivileged. We organize ESL classes in partnership with Literacy Achieves. English language ability is the first crucial step for new residents of North Texas to gain the necessary skills to assimilate, to get a driver’s license, to gain employment, and to pass the citizenship test. Increased literacy also leads to higher earning potential and confidence to accomplish personal goals. The classes are held on line via Zoom and also in person, free of charge. Small Business Entrepreneur Boot Camps, are held periodically both virtual and In person. The mission is to provide a framework to learn the skills about starting and running a small business from experienced speakers. Startup seed money is also offered to qualified startups, so they can start small business and gain economic independence. Our Feed the Hungry program involves sponsoring and serving lunch/dinner at the Homeless Shelters like Austin, Bridge and Salvation Army. Women’s Business Forum, I am the Chair of the Women’s Business forum The Women’s forum plays a crucial role in empowering women, fostering a sense of community and advocacy for a positive change. It is dedicated for advancement of women and provides opportunities to share strength, talent and experience and networking opportunities.
I believe I am making an impact in the community I live in via Lions Clubs International and MEED Center by initiating several projects involving Children’s vision screenings, health and diabetes screenings (DAWN) project, Feed the Hungry program, ESL classes for the refugees and new immigrants, Small business Entrepreneur Boot Camps and Women’s business forum.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
1. Marketing our free services
2. Funding for free health and diabetes screenings. Costs of kits, equipment and payments for technicians and location.
3. Accessibility for recipients as they don’t have transportation to avail of free services.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
GLORIA MATHUR
Gloria currently serves on the MEED Board of Directors, also as Secretary . and Chairs the Women’s Business Forum. She also serves as Board of Director for Asian Chamber of Texas (ACT) . She is an Advocate and Speaker for American Diabetes Association. Secretary & Lions Clubs International Foundation Coordinator for Dallas Filipino Lions Club. At MD-2 Lions of State of Texas and District 2×1 Lions , she chairs the Diabetes Awareness , KidSight Program, initiated the DAWN ( Diabetes Awareness & Wellness Now ) project for District 2X1 to fight Diabetes and developed the Diabetes Wellness & Beyond webinar series viewed & participated by Lions worldwide.
Professionally, she is a Specialist in Blood Bank/Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine,
Consultant, author and published numerous articles in Transfusion Medicine Journals and
speaks at conferences both national and international on this topic. She worked at Carter Blood Care as Director of Technical and Community Education. She has taught Blood Bank/Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine at various Universities in North Texas. She is also a Certified Assessor with AABB, ASCP and College of American Pathologists.
Gloria is the recipient of many prestigious awards professionally, academically and for community service. To name a few, Lions Club International Presidents awards for Excellence in Leadership and Humanitarian services, ACT Chairman’s award. Gloria is the recipient of the ABC/AABB International Award of Excellence in Transfusion Service; Institute of Transfusion Medicine (iXTM ) Award for Outstanding Technical Education Achievement
