The Lioness
A Story of Resilience and Legacy for All Humanity
Help Us Tell Her Story
Every contribution brings Mama Jules’ story closer to the screen, and helps preserve a legacy that inspires all humanity.
Donate TodayThe Lioness
A Story of Resilience and Legacy for All Humanity
Paula Fils-Aime Jules
August 22, 1940 – September 7, 2025
Meet The Lioness
Meet Mama Jules
She was simply Mom, long before she became our story.
Before the film, before the title, before anyone called her the Lioness, she was simply Mom. Mama Jules. The woman at the center of the home, the one everyone leaned on, the one who held it all together without ever asking for credit.
Paula Fils-Aime Jules was born on August 22, 1940. Her story began in Haiti, in a world that asked her to be strong before she was ever old enough to choose it. And she was. Quietly, steadily, for the rest of her life.
The woman behind the name
People who met Paula later in life knew her strength. What they did not always see was everything it was built on. The sacrifices made without complaint. The long days. The faith she held onto when there was little else to hold. She carried her family the way a lioness carries her own, fiercely and without hesitation, and she made it look effortless even when it was not.
She led with compassion more than with words. She taught by doing. And she gave, again and again, in ways that only became fully clear once we sat down to tell her story and realized how much of who we are came from her.
Strength is not the absence of fear. Strength is moving forward despite it.
Paula Fils-Aime Jules
How she became the Lioness
We did not set out to call her the Lioness. The name found her. As family and friends gathered and the memories came pouring out, the same picture kept forming. A protector. A provider. A woman who faced down whatever came for her family and never backed away from it.
That is who Mama Jules was. And that is why her story has to be told. Not because she was famous, but because she was the kind of woman whose strength quietly shaped everyone around her, the kind of woman so many families are held together by and so few ever stop to honor.
Her legacy lives on
Paula passed on September 7, 2025, but her story does not end there. It continues in her daughter Maureen, in her mother Jaccilia before her, and in every person who carries a piece of what she gave. Three generations, one legacy, one unbroken thread.
This film is our way of making sure the world meets her the way we did. As Mom. As Mama Jules. As the Lioness.
Help Us Tell Her Story
Every contribution brings Mama Jules’ story closer to the screen, and helps preserve a legacy that inspires all humanity.
Donate TodayTHE LIONESS FILM
Edition 1 | A Story of Resilience and Legacy for All Humanity.
Five Generations.
One Legacy.
Her strength became their legacy. Her story inspires us all.
View Video TeaserA Note From Maureen
Supporters,
Welcome to the very first edition of The Lioness Film Newsletter.
What began as a celebration of my mother, Paula Fils-Aime Jules’, during my 55th birthday across four cities quickly became something much greater than any of us imagined.
As family and friends gathered in Miami, Richmond, Brooklyn, and Washington, D.C., stories were shared that reminded us of the incredible impact one woman can have on generations to come.
This story needs to be told, now more than ever.
Thank you for believing in this project's vision. More to come.
Maureen Jules-Perez
Co-Director
This Week’s Featured Story
Five Generations.
One Legacy.
Every extraordinary legacy begins with someone courageous enough to build a foundation.
For our family, that journey spans five remarkable generations.
Jaccilia Fils-Aime is the foundation. Her strength, wisdom, and unwavering faith created the roots that would support generations to come.
Paula Fils-Aime Jules is The Lioness. Through perseverance, compassion, and quiet leadership, Paula transformed adversity into opportunity.
Maureen Jules-Perez continues as one of the branches of The Legacy. As daughter, storyteller, and executive, Maureen is ensuring this extraordinary journey reaches future generations through film.
Learn More Here
“
Strength is not the absence of fear.
Strength is moving forward despite it.
— Paula Fils-Aime Jules
Strength is not the absence of fear.
Strength is moving forward despite it.
— Paula Fils-Aime Jules
Fund Progress
Together, we are making this film possible.
Funding Goal
$100,000
Raised So Far
$23,500
23%
Donate TodayWord of the Week
Resilience
noun
The ability to endure hardship, adapt through adversity, and emerge stronger than before.
Resilience is the heartbeat of The Lioness.
From The Lioness Den
The greatest stories are rarely about fame.
They are about ordinary people who choose extraordinary courage every single day.
The Lioness is one of those many stories.
Photo of the Week
Multiple Generations
A bond time cannot break.
Upcoming Auction
Douriean Fletcher’s Black Panther Inpired Jewelry
One of the exclusive auction items that will be featured in our upcoming auction supporting The Lioness Documentary Fund.
Our auction launches soon. Stay tuned for your opportunity to participate.
Coming Soon
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to our early supporters who believe in the power of stories to change hearts and inspire generations.
DONATEHow You Can Help
DONATE
Filming starts in August! Help fund production and preserve Paula’s story.
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PARTNER
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SHARE
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Share NowYour Lioness Story
Who was the Lioness in your life? Share your memories, photos, and dedications with us.
Share Your Story
Together, we can preserve a legacy that inspires all humanity.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Coming Up Next
Jaccilia’s Story
Auction Launch
Meet the Directors
Stay tuned!