Moreover, she was exceedingly generous in a monetary way, further demonstrating her support of programs for the disadvantaged.. Walker Excellence in Community Service Award,Call and Postnewspaper She earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in 1953 from Wiley College (now Wiley University) and returned to Fort Worth to teach at Amanda McCoy Elementary School for 15 years where she was regarded as one of the best educators in her field. OUR STORY On November 9, 1946, Margaret Rosell Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott, two young Philadelphia visionaries, co-founded The Links, Incorporated. Congresswoman Wilson is the founder of the Florida Ports Caucus, a bipartisan coalition formed to help pass the Water Resources Reform and Development Act. She was the mother of two sons, Frederick, Jr., and Bruce Rosell Hawkins. She is a founder, member, and co-chair of the Congressional Childrens Caucus and authored and introduced H.R. Dr. Glover is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. She is a member of 15th Street Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. and is an Elder in the Church. She has also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of an engineering firm, a tax manager at a major public utility company, and an accountant with a Big-Four CPA firm. She was the organizer and the first president of the Prince George County (MD) Chapter in 1979; she was the Eastern Area secretary in 1987, and served as the Eastern Area director in 1991-1995. More than any other person, it was Edmonds who established the organizations program and structure to make the dedication to human service the identifying characteristic of The Links. In 2022, The Links Foundation, Incorporated named its sixth $1 million Legacy Grant recipient the Obama Presidential Center. Successfully pushed for the creation of 75 new liquor licenses, 80% dedicated to disenfranchised neighborhoods, resulting in the creation of dozens of new restaurants and hundreds of jobs in local Boston communities. She is a prolific motivational speaker in the areas of leadership and change management. With local affiliates in 58 cities, National CARES has recruited, trained and deployed more than 150,000 mentors to schools and youth-support and mentoring organizations like Big Brothers, Big Sisters, as well as to its own culturally rooted, academic- and social-transformational initiatives. Not only has she presented the history of the early days of The Links in Philadelphia and served as an organizing member of The Links national committee on archives and history, but she has also completed a valuable research study titled Black Business in Philadelphia Prior to the Civil War.. As a member of Vice President Hubert Humphreys Committee on the Back-To-School Program, and her official training and supervisory efforts with President Johnsons Youth Programs, thousands of young people were trained, employed, and brought back into the educational and economic mainstream. Edmonds served as Alternate-Delegate to the 1970 General Assembly of the United Nations. While living In Germany and serving as vice president of the Hahn Officers Wives Club, she developed and implemented programs for American-German orphans and American Girl Scouts. Dolly Desselle Adams, eighth national president of The Links, Incorporated, was born in Marksville, Louisiana. She served at two different times as president of the Philadelphia Chapter, 1963-66 and 1974-75. Copeland holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Hampton University, where she has received the distinguished 2013 Alumnus of the Year Award, and a Master of Arts degree, Educational Development, College of Education, at The Ohio State University, where she was recognized as an esteemed Alumnus. Among her traits are creativity, faith, intelligence, concern, determination, thoughtfulness, self-confidence self-direction, generosity, patience, vibrancy and style. She has traveled abroad to Africa where she has assessed methods of supporting the delivery of safe and effective health care to women. Sixteen years after joining the organization she was elected national president. Beamon was a dedicated community worker, serving on many boards including the Child Guidance Home, the Childrens Theater, the Community Chest of Greater Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Urban League. Among her many contributions to the organization, she has been instrumental in securing more than $2 million in funding for innovative programs leading to the improvement of the life options for children of African descent. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D. is a 1986 alumna of Fayetteville State University (FSU), and the 17th national president of The Links, Incorporated. This talented, creative woman not only served as the first president of the founding chapter, but she designed the Links bracelet. Link Copeland is the 15th national president of The Links, Incorporated, and also a member of the Executive Leadership Council. Through the years, as the couple moved from the Tenth District, Texas to the Second, Mid-Atlantic States and the District of Columbia, and to the sixth, Georgia, the two have formed a trained, spiritually-oriented working team which has made an indelible imprint on American life wherever they have lived. Terrell High School in 1943 at the age of 16. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent in 292 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. In 1984, daughter Gaye in introducing her mother said: Throughout her career as educator, administrator, community activist, missionary supervisor and mother extraordinaire, Dr. Adams has always committed herself to doing and being her best. The Links, Incorporated The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. Other community services include the Board of Trustees of the Greater Miami United Way, Council of Presidents, American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, the board of directors of The Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, executive board of the New World School of the Arts, Board of Directors of the National Coalition on Black Voter Participation, Inc., and the Orange Bowl Committee. Following her years at the Smithsonian, Dr. Cole was a Principle Consultant with Cook Ross, a management consulting firm, where she co-led a Chief Diversity Officer Leadership Forum and worked with various companies to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces. The Links, Incorporated is an organization of accomplished, dedicated women who are active in your c The Links, Incorporated The National Speakers Association (NSA) selected McCloud as the cover story for the 2007 July-August issue. Memorial Services were held on Friday, July 15, at the Port of History Museum in Philadelphia. She also enjoys playing her organ and working with her block club. and is a proud graduate of Howard University. Memorial services were conducted by President Frazier, and the November issue of President Fraziers newsletter was devoted to her. Leonard was tabbed for the post at the organizations 41st National Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana. On the Council, Congresswoman Pressley worked in partnership with residents, advocates, and other elected officials to combat the inequities and disparities facing the community. A charter member, vice president; and later president of the Arlington (VA) Chapter, she was, during her fourth year as Arlington (VA) Chapter president, appointed national director of Services to Youth. In 1990, President Frazier and National Program Coordinator Anne Pruitt journeyed to Zambia at the invitation of President Kenneth Kaunda to confer with groups of women in these countries about program efforts with which Links might cooperate. Sometimes the best way to thank those who have helped you is pay it forward by helping someone else. Her vibrant and unfaltering dedication to friendship and service was adored members around the country. In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Edmonds as his personal representative to the dedication of the new capital building in Monrovia, Liberia. She sits on three Congressional Committees a senior member of theHouse Committees on the JudiciaryandHomeland Securityand appointed by the leadership as a Member of the crucial Budget Committee. The municipality comprises the towns of Oudenaken, Ruisbroek, Sint-Laureins-Berchem, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw proper and Vlezenbeek.Sint-Pieters-Leeuw is located just outside the Brussels-Capital . The Links is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. As a Senior Consulting Fellow at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, she worked on initiatives on diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in art museums and higher education. On May 13, 1933, she married Frederick C. Hawkins. Dr. Cole is married to James D. Staton, Jr. She is the mother of three sons and one stepson. She has held four national offices; national member-at-large (1986-1990), National Nominating Committee chair (1990-1994), national recording secretary (1998-2002), and national vice president (2002-2006). Joining a fraternity or sorority at Western Carolina University is a wonderful way to be involved with campus life, find a group of life-time friends and mentors, participate in philanthropic and community service activities, and increase your leadership skills. President Obama often cites this program, which she created nearly a quarter century ago, as an example of the kinds of projects that his My Brothers Keeper initiative is designed to emulate and support. Membership criteria as outlined in the Bylaws, Article I and III includes: Membership in the Tacoma (WA) Chapter shall consist of women with high Ultimately, she was to become the first Black woman to be named employee relations officer at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as well as the first Black woman to serve as director of personnel for a federal agency. While teaching at Wilberforce University, Adams met and married John Hurst Adams, then a faculty member at nearby Payne Theological Seminary. The Atlanta (GA) Chapter was the first Links Chapter established in the State of Georgia. Dr. Beamon was the first Black candidate to run on the charter ticket as a candidate for the Cincinnati City Council. Dr. Glover also has authored more than 100 articles and papers, and she is regarded as one of the nations foremost experts on corporate governance. The Links Foundation, Incorporateds 4th annual Legislative Luncheon brought together thought leaders, legislators, change agents, and other powerful voices. Through her activism and non-profit Salute Selma, Inc., Abina has had the privilege to work and march with people like Congressman John Lewis, Past Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, George Bush, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris. In 2019, she received the Baldridge Leadership Award, and was named by Fortune as One of the Worlds 50 Greatest Leaders. Her own familycherished mother, devoted husband, children and grandchildrenis the embryo of her concern for Black families, particularly those matriarchal families which seem to have to bear such heavy burdens in our society. She had one son, Clifton, Jr., and two grandchildren. In The Links Souvenir Journal celebrating the 25th anniversary of the organization, editor Will Florence Robbins Hudgins had saluted Maloney for her excellent leadership, which had brought the group to the climax of its first decade. Under her wise and dynamic leadership, Educating for Democracy was adopted as the theme for the national program and the pledge to search for talented and/or gifted youth was implemented as an extension of the organizations Services for Youth project. She has been a member of the chapters International Trends and Services committee, and the Services To Youth committee. Two Links chapters were established outside continental U.S.A. She is a member of Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the National Coalition of Black Development in Home Economics, and the Black Womens Agenda. In 1990, Vice President Harris joined the Alameda County District Attorneys Office where she specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases. She was also elected student government president, was a competitive debater through her schools chapter of Junior State of America, was the commencement speaker for her graduating class, and was named most likely to be mayor of Chicago., Congresswoman Pressley moved to Boston, MA in 1992 to attend Boston University, however, after a couple of years of enrollment, she withdrew from the University to help support her mother. Her outstanding participation in civic life continued as she was elected president of the Black Womens Agenda in 1988. Rep. Demings began her career in Jacksonville as a social worker, working to protect foster children. Over the course of her career, she has held teaching and administrative positions in anthropology, womens studies, and African American studies at several major universities. At this meeting, she was elected the first national president and continued in that office until 1953. She has held faculty positions at eight different colleges and universities including the Neuro-Psychiatric Institute of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio; Albany Georgia State College; Paul Quinn College Waco, Texas; Howard University School of Law; Washington, D.C.; and the Interdenominational Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia. She stressed family involvement in all Links program planning and activities. In a March 1991, a feature article in theLouisiana Woman, the writer (Judy Pennington) noted that the Center was in essence a microcosm of Purnells lifelong work, manifested in a small community that helps the larger (community) make sense of itself.. Married to Dr. Nolan N. Atkinson, staff associate at Bryn Mawr Hospital and NAACP leader, she listed her hobby or interest as my family and my home. Atkinson is the mother of two children, Carolyn A. Thomas, vice president of a consulting firm, and Nolan, Jr., an attorney. CEO, EVP Beauty & Personal Care, Unilever North America. She was the first woman president of the Cincinnati Urban League and carried this responsibility with distinction for three one-year terms. Since 2013, Beatty has proudly represented Ohios Third Congressional District. In keeping with the rising national visibility of The Links and to better serve its growing membership, Ellison set as one of her priorities the implementation of the decision of the 1974 Assembly to have a national headquarters with a paid staff. Lillian Hudson Wall, wife of Dr. Lonnie C. Wall, was a native of Waynesborough, Georgia. Our VOTE. Select the Regional Link of the region your intended chapter of initiation is located The name and region of intended chapter of initiation is provided on Delta Deadline Information Sheet (Appendix 11L) 5. Dr. Glover also served as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Jackson (Mississippi) Airport Authority. Katie Murphy Greene, the daughter of Sidney and Belle Glascow Murphy, was born in Eugaula, Alabama. A. Stanford was active with the Visiting Nurses Association and the Montgomery Hospital Association. Frazier is national parliamentarian for the Association of Black Hospital Pharmacists. She was the bridge that carried The Links from youth to maturity. Margaret Hawkins was born Margaret Josephine Rosell on January 12, 1908, in Philadelphia. Executive Vice President KeyCorp Member and Executive Council KeyCorp. In May 2015, Congresswoman Wilson was appointed to the advisory council of President Barack Obamas My Brothers Keeper Alliance, a public acknowledgement of the life-changing results for boys and young men of color that she has achieved through the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project. In this capacity, she provides program leadership, expert advice, and technical assistance to citizens, members of the civic, corporate and academic communities. As a wife, committed church woman, especially to the Womens Missionary Society and the young people of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; entrepreneur; life member of the NAACP; life member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; member, International Womens Forum (IWF) and civic volunteer; she resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband. She was also a member of the Baton Rouge YWCA, Women in Politics, the League of Women Voters, and the Blundon Home for Orphans, the local Girl Scouts Executive Board, and the Steering Committee on the Status of Women in Louisiana. Ultimately, Adjoa is the go-to change agent to mobilize leaders and communities for thoughtful, collective social and political action. Scholarship is a principle that Valerie holds in high regard having graduated from York Institute as the class valedictorian at the age of fourteen, and being accepted into ten of the nations top universities. As a foremost thought leader and policy architect, she has spearheaded legislative victories to legally establish the nations first Office on African American Affairs, and to introduce and pass the historic anti-hair discrimination CROWN Act. Gwendolyn B. Lee has more than 38 years experience in secondary education. Jo Ann began her career with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, moving on to progressively more responsible leadership positions in the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Agriculture before serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Library of Congress where, among other things, she led eleven National Book Festivals. Beamon herself served as the second president of the Womens Auxiliary of the National Dental Association. The Links, Inc. Know Your Presidents 17 terms Kathleen_Desvarieux Teacher Verified questions business Approximately 14 14 million Americans are addicted to drugs and alcohol. as a child, which had instilled in her a fundamental sense of right and wrong. Stratton served as the first national corresponding secretary and as president of the Philadelphia (PA) Chapter. Lets pay it forward my Sisters! Always sensitive to the need for intercultural and social changes in the lifestyles of her community and her people, she was an active member of the Fellowship Commission in Philadelphia. With a near-perfect record of meeting chapter obligations, the Grants-in-Aid for the first biennium exceeded $132,000.00 and ultimately exceeded $1,000,000.00. She has also received numerous keys and proclamations from cities/states across the country. By doing so, the needs of people were met. Annually, Salute Selma, Inc. hosts three major events that commemorates Bloody Sunday, the Selma to Montgomery March, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Wall also gave the young organization an even more tangible gift. D. from Nova Southeastern University in educational leadership as an accelerated student. She serves as Chief Deputy Whip for the Democratic Caucus, past Chairperson of the Texas Congressional Democratic Delegation for the 113th Congress, and past Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board. As a corporate manager, Smith spent 18 years in leadership positions with AT&T (Southern Bell) implementing innovative business processes during her tenure. Her audiences have included faith-based and professional organizations as well as local, regional and national medical organizations. 100 Most Powerful Women in Cleveland,New Cleveland WomanMagazine News and World Report named her as one of the 10 most influential legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her husband became a successful developer of apartment houses and nursing homes in the greater Seattle area, and Link Sutherland became a Nursing Home Administrator. She earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology and African American Studies, and a masters degree in Educational Psychology from Temple University; a post-masters certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Josephs University; and she holds multiple licenses, including one as a behavior specialist. She is a member of the Selma (AL) Chapter of The Links Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and numerous other civic and social organizations. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, she graduated from the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program. During her tenure on the committee, she participated in hearings for two Supreme Court nominees. 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America,Savoy Magazine It was that enterprising spirit wedded to a deep love for her community that led to the founding of the National CARES Mentoring Movement in 2005 as Essence CARES. She was cited byEbony magazine as one of the most influential Black Americans from 1982-86; was elected byDollars and Sense Magazine as one of Americas top Business and Professional Women of 1986. Her interest in Black-operated businesses probably reflects the contributions made in this field by her famous family. The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. She also serves on the Bowling Green State University (Ohio) Student Affairs Leadership Council. She currently lives with her family in New York City. The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. is a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of black women and girls. She has been appointed by multiple DC superintendents to the federally-mandated State Title I Committee of Practitioners, and she has been elected as chair for four consecutive years. As the daughter of a civil rights activist and from a family immersed in the Movement, she determined early that education and equal justice were important for all people of color. A proven and dedicated mentor, she has spearheaded the growth of Sigma Gamma Rho in the Southeastern Region since 2016, serving in several leadership roles, including international first vice-president, Southeastern Region director and as international editor-in-chief. She also passed a bill that made rape in prison a felony crime. Our recognized Chapters coordinate their recruitment efforts . Reflecting back, however, she recalled that although she was involved in entrepreneurial activities, her real love was rendering service to those around her. Copeland was a delegate to the White House Conference on Americas Future. She also launched Operation Free Palms, a project focusing on rejuvenating Orlandos most crime-ridden housing complex, the Palms Apartments. Recently, she introduced theFree Credit Score Act, legislation to require consumer reporting agencies to include a credit score when providing consumers with a free annual credit report. Chair and President, National Council of Negro Women. After completing her term as National President Ellison served for four years as a member of the Executive Council. A few other honors earned by this brilliant young woman are the Sarah A. Blocker Meritorious Community Service Award from Florida Memorial College; Alpha Phi Alpha, Beta Lambda Chapters Distinguished Community Service Award; salute to Leadership Award, from the Agricultural Investment Fund, Inc.; Trail Blazer Award of the Womens Committee of 100; Women in Communication, Community Headliner Award; the Bronze Medallion of The National Conference of Christians and Jews; and the Leadership Award of the Antidefamation League. 1953-1957. International Grand Basileus, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Rasheeda S. Liberty was elected the 25th International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., during the 58th Biennial Boule on July 31, 2020. Margot James Copeland, Director of Philanthropy and Civic Engagement Campbell was appointed as Deputy Sergeant at Arms in July 2021 and has supported high security events such as the State of the Union Address, where she escorted the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. In this position, she compiled and distributed a single publication listing the activities of ever chapter in each program facet. The late Beulah Finley Smith and the late Thirlee Smith, Sr., were small business owners and civil rights activists. Rep. Demings is married to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, is a proud mother to three sons, and proud grandmother to five. She has been described as a visionary and global thought leader, a catalyst for breakthrough results, accelerating progress and contribution while fostering positive relationships. She won seats in the Florida House of Representatives in 1998 and the state Senate in 2002, whereher peers elected her Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore and Minority Whip. Maloney came to be considered Lynchburgs first lady of education and seemed never to recognize the meaning of the word retirement. After her years at Dunbar High she served on the Lynchburg Public Schools as Inter-Administrator and consultant for Lyn-Cay Headstart; and on many other boards including Mental Health, the Red Cross, the United Way, Polio Committee, YWCA, Lynchburg Community Action Group, Friends of the Public Library, the City Restoration Committee, Fine Arts Center, Bethune Child Care Center, Meals-On-Wheels, and the NAACP. The Links, Incorporated, is a national organization with a membership that is dependent upon elected officers and appointed chairs to perform specific gratis service. Vice President of the United States of America. She also serves as community advisor to the Board of Directors of Arlington Hospital, and as secretary of the Womens Committee of the Washington performing Arts Society. A long-term community volunteer, Smith served eight years as the Chair of the Cobb County Board of Elections & Registration and on varied community boards including the Atlanta Area Council-Boy Scouts of America, the Cobb County United Way and Girls, Incorporated. She tries to give more than she receives always with a JOYful heart and positive, passionate spirit. The membership consists more than 16,000 professional women of color in 292 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. Esteemed Alumni, The Ohio State University/100 Years of African American Achievement She has more than 30 years of applied health, minority health, and behavioral medicine research, evaluation, and technical assistance and training experience specializing in health promotion and disease prevention.