Links Incorporated
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The Links, Incorporated is an exclusive non-profit organization based upon the ideals of combining friendship and community service. The organization was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 9, 1946, from a group of ladies known as the Philadelphia Club. The organization was incorporated five years later, in 1951 <ref name=link9>The Links in Action. Angel City Links -- Los Angeles, California (2005). Retrieved on 2006-08-14.</ref>. Links, Incorporated is comprised of primarily professional African-American women, who are dedicated to enhancing civic, educational, and cultural endeavors. Membership is extended to candidates nominated and approved by currently active Link members. Currently, The Links, Incorporated, surpasses 10,000 members and 274 chapters internationally. <ref name=link1>The Links in Action. Links, Incorporated (2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-29.</ref> Recently, the Links, Incorporated, celebrated their sixtieth anniversary on November 9, 2006. In honor of this golden occasion, commemorative medals have already been made to celebrate the organization's achievements. [1]
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[edit] Founders
- Margaret Rosell Hawkins
- Sarah Strickland Scott
[edit] Original Members of the Philadelphia Club
- Frances Atkinson
- Katie Murphy Green
- Marion Minton
- Lillian Stanford
- Myrtle Manigault Stratton
- Lillian Wall
- Dorothy Wright
[edit] List of Conventions
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Note: 23rd through 34th convention locations are not available, due to printing of Links, Incorporated history ending in 1982. Also, each convention was held annualy, until 1960, when conventions were held bi-annually.
[edit] Mission Statement
Within the organization, the Links, Incorporated's overall goals are to...<ref name=link9>The Links in Action. Angel City Links -- Los Angeles, California (2005). Retrieved on 2006-08-14.</ref>
- Redefine Links' purposes, sharpen its focus and expand its program dimensions in order to make Links, not only a chain of friendship, but also a chain of purposeful service.
- Use the talent of each member to help fulfill the hopes and dreams of others.
- Enrich and support those who are educationally disadvantaged and culturally deprived.
- Remain committed to making history and providing hope.
[edit] The Four Facets of The Links, Incorporated
The Links, Incorporated focuses primarily on four strategic areas of interest ("facets"):
- National Trends and Services: Currently, The Links sponsor Linkages to Life: Organ Tissue and Bone Marrow Donation Awareness Program, which promotes the organ donations. Due to a deficit of available organs, and many people needing transplants, this issue proves vital to national health care initiatives.
- Services for Youth: The Links, Incorporated, offers programs such as Operation SEED and "Just Say 'No'!" in order to educate youth about the perils of drug and substanance abuse as well as improve the self-esteem of teens.
- International Trends and Services: The Links are active in the interests of African and Caribbeanaffairs. For example, in "Education Across the Miles," the Links donated more than $300,000 in order to build schools in South Africa and Nigeria.<ref name=link3>International Trends and Services. Links, Incorporated (2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-30.</ref> On October 21, 2005, the Links were honored at the United Nations 60th Anniversary Gala in New York City. <ref name=link4>International Trends and Services. Links, Incorporated (2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-30.</ref>
- The Arts: The Links, Incorporated, are actively involved in promoting African and African-American art, in order to educate youth and adults about the artwork's significance. The art component of the Links was put into place by Link Margaret Hough and was placed into the organization in 1964 after the Links's Fourteenth National Assembly in Nassau, Bahamas.<ref name=link5>Arts. Links, Incorporated (2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-30.</ref>
[edit] Links Members involvement with NPHC Sororities
Image:Historylinksbook.jpg Several members of The Links, Incorporated are also members of NPHC sororities (mainly Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated). For example, Founding Link Katie Murphy Green was member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated <ref name=link6>Katie Murphy Green. Links, Incorporated (2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-29.</ref>. Immediate Past National President of The Links, Gladys Gary Vaughn, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and; the current National President, Gwendolyn Boyd Lee, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. <ref name=link7>Welcome to the Links. Links, Incorporated (2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-29.</ref>
[edit] Symbols
- The official flower is the White Rose.
- The Links, Incorporated motto is: "We're each a link in friendship's chain."<ref name=link8>The Links in Action. Links, Incorporated (2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-29.</ref>
[edit] Contact Information:
The Links, Incorporated</br>
1200 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20005</br>
Phone: 202-842-8686
