About Our Organization – Tri-County (AL) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated

Service

Tri-County (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

THE FOUNDERS

On the evening of November 9, 1946, Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott, two young Philadelphia matrons, invited seven of their friends to join them in organizing a new type of inter-city club. This organizing meeting of The Links was not a spontaneous action. In 1945, Link Hawkins had conceived the idea of a group of clubs composed of friends along the eastern seaboard and had spent many hours with Link Scott in thinking, planning and discussing the possibilities of such an endeavor.

The two women envisioned an organization that would respond to the needs and aspirations of Black women in ways that existing clubs did not. It was their intent the club would have a threefold aim--civic, educational, and cultural. Based on these aims, the club would implement programs, which its founders hoped would foster cultural appreciation through the arts; develop richer inter-group relations; and help women who participated to understand and accept their social and civic responsibilities. From these beginnings The Links, Incorporated has impacted national and international communities around the world through contributions and service.

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 274 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The members of The Links, Incorporated are influential decision makers and opinion leaders. The organization has attracted many distinguished women who are individual achievers and have made a difference in their communities and the world. They are business and civic leaders, role models, mentors, activists and volunteers who work towards a common vision by engaging like-minded organizations and individuals for partnership. Links members contribute more than 500,000 documented hours of community service annually – strengthening their communities and enhancing the nation. The organization is the recipient of awards from the UN Association of New York and the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation for its premier programs. The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has four facets which include National Trends and Services, The Arts, Services to Youth and International Trends and Services. The programs are implemented through strategies such as public information and education, economic development, and public policy campaigns. see more.

The Links Foundation, Incorporated was created by The Links, Incorporated and is, therefore, committed to support, enhance and expand the programs set forth by The Links, Inc. As a 501(c)(3) organization, The Links Foundation, Incorporated provides a means of securing tax exemption and tax deduction for members of The Links, Incorporated, corporations and other groups/individuals. The Links Foundation, Incorporated is an arm of The Links, Incorporated, and is governed by its Board of Directors and members.

“Linked In Friendship, Connected In Service”

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