About Our Chapter
Mission Statement
To promote and engage in educational, civic and intercultural activities in order to enrich the lives of members and the larger community; and to work together towards achieving common goals.
History of The West Palm Beach Chapter
In the fall of 1968, Ella S. Clayton suggested to some of her friends that The Links, Incorporated program was needed in the West Palm Beach Area. And so it was the fourteen social and civic-minded women, enchanted by the ideals of the national organization, soon met at the home of Italia S. Walker. With optimism, enthusiasm and the guidance of Link Southern Area Director Maud K. Reid, they began preliminary plans for the establishment of the West Palm Beach Chapter.
On Saturday, February 8, 1969, the West Palm Beach Chapter was chartered and fourteen members were inducted, at the home of Clifton G. and Hisetta S. Dyson, 801 3rd Street, West Palm Beach. Link Lillie W. Fannin, Greater Miami Chapter President, assisted Link Reid with the chapter chartering and membership induction ceremonies. The Greater Miami Chapter was the sponsoring chapter.
The Fourteen West Palm Beach Chapter Charter Members are:
Links Yvonne V. Baine, Maxine W. Bright-Davies, Ella S. Clayton, Rose H. Cobb*, Minnie Coleman*, Margaret B. Collie*, Hisetta S. Dixon*, Lillian A. Gaines, Doris T. Matthews*, Alice E. Moore, Ardis W. Orr, Gladys S. Peak*, Inez D. Speed* and Italia S. Walker. Since then, the Chapter has grown through fifteen membership inductions and currently has 37 members.
*deceased
West Palm Beach Chapter Past Presidents: |
1969-1971
1971-1975
1975-1977
1977-1981
1981-1984
1984-1985
1985-1989
1989-1991
1991-1993
1993-1995
1995-1997
1997-1999
1999-2001
2001-2003
2003-2005
2005-2007 |
Link Italia S. Walker
Link Ella Sealey Clayton
Link Yvonne L. Baine
Link Charlie Lovett Ellington
Link Jacquelyn Pollard Knowles
Link Emma Speed Hall
Link Trella McHardy Cooper
Link Brenda Sermons Magee
Link Constance Morgan Gonzalez
Link Jessie Champion Jenkins
Link Saundra Foster White
Link Lillie Clemons Wilson
Link Francina Hilliard Bain
Link Sheree Davis-Cunningham
Link Judith Byers La Grange
Link Sia Baker Barnes |
National History of The Links Inc.
The year was 1946. In the wake of World War II, Philadelphia matrons Margaret Rosell Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott called together seven friends in hopes of starting a new type of organization, a chain of women's clubs composed of friends along the Eastern seaboard who would respond to the needs and aspirations of Black women. There were other groups in existence, but the two women envisioned a service-oriented organization that would have a three-fold purpose - to promote civic, educational and cultural concerns - and to lead Black women into postwar America. The nine original members were Frances Atkinson, Katie Green, Margaret Hawkins, Marion Minton, Myrtle Manigault, Sarah Scott, Lillian Stanford, Lillian Wall and Dorothy Wright.
That founding meeting on November 7, 1946 launched what is now The Links, Incorporated, an international women's service organization that is among the most prestigious associations of Black women in the world. From that modest first meeting of nine women, the organization born in the wake of World War II has expanded and refined its mission and membership, endured social and racial upheavals, and today has a membership of 10,000+ women of African descent in 274 chapters located in the United States, the Bahamas, Germany and South Africa. The members of the Links, Incorporated are physicians, dentists, judges, attorneys, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, elected officials, non-profit executives, authors, corporate executives and homemakers. They use their considerable resources to improve the quality of life for others.
Over the years, the organization has lived out its implemented programs with the purpose of fostering cultural appreciation through the arts, developing richer inter-group relations and helping women who participate understand and accept their social and civic responsibilities.
In 1949, the Links became a national organization when 40 members, representing 14 clubs, convened the first national assembly in Philadelphia. The organization has been incorporated since March 29, 1951.
This executive summary of the National History of The Links, Incorporated was authored by Links Gwendolyn Lee, National Vice-President; Patricia Tate Bivens, Southern Area Vice Director; Teree Caldwell-Johnson, Central Area Vice Director; Carol Yvonne Lawson; Bishetta D. Merritt, Eastern Area Vice Director; and Constance W. Rice, Western Area Vice Director.
