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The Links

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The Linksis an American, invitation-only, social and service organization ofprominent blackwomen in the United States. Founded in 1946, it is the largest nationwide organization of prominent black women in the United States. Members includeKamala Harris,Marian Wright Edelman,and the lateBetty Shabazz.

The Links
FoundedNovember 9, 1946;78 years ago(1946-11-09)
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,US
TypeSocial and service
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisBlack women
ScopeInternational
PillarsFriendship, Integrity, Honesty, Service, Commitment, Family Relationships, Courage, Respect for Self and Others, Legacy, Confidentiality, Responsibility, and Accountability
ColorsEmerald GreenandWhite
SymbolGlobe of the world encircled by a chain
FlowerWhite rose
Chapters299
Members17,000+ lifetime
Headquarters1200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.20005
United States
Websitelinksinc.org

As of 2021, there were 16,000 members in nearly 300 chapters. The organization was founded in Philadelphia, but since 2022, it is headquartered inWashington, D.C.

History

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The Links, Incorporated, anonprofit corporation,[1]was founded in 1946 inPhiladelphiaby sevenprominent blackwomen.[2]: 102 [3]Sarah Strickland Scott and Margaret Roselle Hawkins[3][4]recruited Frances Atkinson, Katie Green, Marion Minton, Lillian Stanford, Myrtle Manigault Stratton, Lillian Wall and Dorothy Wright. All of the women were members of prominent black professional families ofPhiladelphia;six were the wives of physicians and the seventh the wife of a bank president.[2]: 103 All had bachelor's or master's degrees from elite universities, and had been active in other elite black social organizations. These organisations includedJack and JillandAlpha Kappa Alphaas well as other prominent organizations like theN.A.A.C.P.,[3]theLeague of Women Voters,and thePhiladelphia Grand Opera Company.[2]: 104 Most were members ofSt. Thomas Episcopal Church.[2]: 104 The group's name was suggested by Wall as a symbol of enduring friendship.[5]

Other cities soon created chapters. By 1949 there were ten chapters. By 1952 there were fifty-six.[3][2]: 105 In 2008 there were approximately 12,000 members in 273 chapters in 42 states[6][2]Greater Detroithad four chapters in 2021.[7]

Over the decades, the group transformed itself from "a group of women married to influential men, to a group of women who became influential themselves", according to one member. The evolution caused "clear conflict between the old guard and the new guard", according to another.[2]: 108 

Symbols

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The Links' core values or pillars are "friendship, integrity, honesty, service, commitment, family relationships, courage, respect for self and others, legacy, confidentiality, responsibility, and accountability".[8]Its emblem is Globe of the world encircled by a chain.[9]Its colors are emerald green and white.[9]Its flower is the white rose.[9]

Organization

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As of 2024, there were 17,000 members in 299 chapters.[7]In, 1999 each chapter membership was limited to no more than 55 women.[2]: 102 The headquarters has been located in Washington, D.C., since at least 1985.[10][5]

Leadership

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As of 2024, the organization has had eighteen national presidents.[11]

Membership

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Women interested in joining any of the local chapters must be nominated by a current member;[2]: 109 if a chapter has 55 members, no more may be accepted until one leaves.[2]: 102 Admission is "extremely competitive", according toLawrence Otis Graham,author ofOur Kind of People(1999).[2]: 109 One member of a Washington, D.C. chapter describes having spent "twelve years of strategizing, party-giving, and brownnosing to get into this group."[2]: 103 Most women do not get into Links until they are in their 40s or older, and most remain members until they die.[2]: 109 

Links has been criticized for its exclusivity; one member noted that while a woman could be nominated by any other member, for practical intents those admitted are "usually those who know at least half of the chapter's membership".[2]: 109 Social, professional or economic prominence within a city's black population also may help get a candidate admitted, as members with such backgrounds help add to the chapter's prestige.[2]: 109 

Activities

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The organization requires each member to accumulate many volunteer hours.[2]: 103 The organization raises funds for a variety of charities and causes such as theUnited Negro College Fundand theNAACP Legal Defense Fund.[2]: 102 The national core focuses include education, health, youth services, art, domestic legislation and international welfare.[2]: 107 [3]

Chapters typically also hold multiple social events for a city's black elites, such asdebutante cotillions,fashion shows,gala fund-raisers, balls, luncheons and formal parties.[2]: 103, 107 

Chapters

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As of 2024, there were 299 chapters. Chapters are located in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth of he Bahamas.

Importance

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According to Graham, The Links is the "most elite organization" for prominent American black women,[2]: 102 and is both the largest and the most influential.[2]: 102 Membership in the organization, he writes, signals to other prominent blacks that "your social background, lifestyle, physical appearance, and family's academic and professional accomplishments passed muster".[2]: 102 

Los Angeles PBS stationKCETcalled The Links "the most prominent" of the black women's clubs.[12]Rolling Stonecalled it "one of the most influential and prestigious".[13]

John Lewiscalled The Links a “distinguished organization of outstanding community service and influence”.[7]

Notable members

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Shabazz
Edelman

Members include philanthropists, college presidents, politicians, activists, judges, doctors, bankers, lawyers, executives, educators, and the wives of well-known public figures.[14][2]: 105 Notable members include:

See also

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References

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  1. ^Griffin, Anne-Marea (February 17, 2022)."Black History Month and the Power of Remembrance".UNICEF USA.Retrieved2022-02-23.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahGraham, Lawrence Otis (2014).Our kind of people.[Place of publication not identified]: HarperCollins e-Books.ISBN978-0-06-187081-1.OCLC877899803.
  3. ^abcde"The Links, Incorporated | American organization | Britannica".Britannica.com.RetrievedFebruary 7,2022.
  4. ^"The Links, Incorporated Celebrates 75 Years Of Excellence".BET.November 9, 2021.
  5. ^abOrganizing Black America: an encyclopedia of African American associations.Nina Mjagkij. New York: Garland. 2001. p. 308.ISBN0-8153-2309-3.OCLC44720533.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ^About the Links, Inc.ArchivedMay 16, 2008, at theWayback MachineRetrieved April 17, 2008, from The Links, Incorporated Web site.
  7. ^abcTalley, Scott (June 26, 2021)."The Links, Inc., 'committed to service in the community' in Detroit".Detroit Free Press.RetrievedFebruary 7,2022.
  8. ^"The Links, Incorporated".LinksInc.org.Retrieved2024-10-12.
  9. ^abc"Protocol Manual"(PDF).The Links Fresno.The Links, Incorporated. 2010.RetrievedOctober 12,2024.
  10. ^Farr, Stephanie (November 7, 2021)."Smith Memorial Playground gets $25,000 donation from The Links, Inc., a service organization founded in Philly".Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedFebruary 9,2022.
  11. ^abadmin."Leadership".Links.Retrieved2024-07-18.
  12. ^Bythewood-Porter, Taylor (July 22, 2021)."The Links, Incorporated: How African American Debutantes Shaped a New Vision of Black Womanhood".KCET.RetrievedFebruary 7,2022.
  13. ^McFadden, Syreeta (July 1, 2021)."Meet the Women Bringing Weed to the Deep South".Rolling Stone.RetrievedFebruary 7,2022.
  14. ^ab"America's black upper class and Black Lives Matter".The Economist.August 22, 2020.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  15. ^"Hannah Atkins Obituary (2010) - Oklahoman".Legacy.com.Retrieved2021-01-20.
  16. ^abcd"Civil Rights Icon John Lewis Lauds The Links, Incorporated and Issues Voting Rights Call to Action".Congresswoman Joyce Beatty.April 20, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 9,2022.
  17. ^"Keisha Lance Bottoms sworn in as Atlanta mayor".WTXL.2018-01-03.Retrieved2022-02-15.
  18. ^"Houston Chapter of The Links Chapter Members".
  19. ^abPitts, Myron B."Myron B. Pitts: Sen. Kamala Harris, VP-elect, shines light on The Links".The Fayetteville Observer.RetrievedFebruary 7,2022.
  20. ^"Collection: Papers of Mary Gibson Hundley, 1910-1985".hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu.Retrieved2022-02-25.
  21. ^"Many Lavish Social Events Highlight Links' Twelfth National Assembly".California Eagle.1960-07-07. p. 7.Retrieved2022-02-11– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^"Meharry Medical College Ventures Names Dr. Veronica Mallett President and CEO".www.nashvillemedicalnews.com.2021-05-10.Retrieved2023-08-22.
  23. ^"Annette R. March-Grier's Worldwide Profile".www.worldwidebranding.com.Retrieved2020-04-20.
  24. ^"Charter Members"Parthenon (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
  25. ^"Protecting Public Safety with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle M. Outlaw".Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.RetrievedFebruary 7,2022.
  26. ^"Robinson, Jo Ann Gibson | Encyclopedia.com".www.encyclopedia.com.RetrievedFebruary 9,2022.
  27. ^"About Angela Rye".diversity.gatech.edu.Retrieved2022-02-15.
  28. ^"Public Policy".Tami Sawyer.Retrieved2022-01-21.
  29. ^Moore, Gina Ruffin (2007).Cincinnati.Arcadia Publishing.ISBN978-0-7385-5144-9.
  30. ^"Yvonne Walker Taylor, Educator born".African American Registry.Retrieved2022-02-13.
  31. ^"The Links, Incorporated, 30th National Assembly, July 1996: Celebrating 50 Years, 1946–1996".Thirtieth National Assembly of Links, Inc., 1996, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.1996.RetrievedFebruary 9,2022.
  32. ^"Chapter History".Central New Jersey (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.RetrievedFebruary 9,2022.
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