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5,000 GATHER IN PHILADELPHIA FOR THE LINKS, INCORPORATED
BIENNIAL MEETING
Charlotte
Chapter of The Links, Inc. Captures National Program Award in National
Trends & Services
Washington,
DC (July 13, 2006). The 35th National Assembly of The Links,
Incorporated recently held in Philadelphia (PA), the city of its
founding, celebrated 60 years of service and named fifteen of its local
chapters to receive the distinguished and coveted “Programming Awards”
The Charlotte Chapter of The Links,
Incorporated, under the leadership of Daisy Walker, President, captured
first place for the National Trends & Services Award for their
program “Communities
Strengthening Families/Children Achieving Success”
and brought home a prize of $6,000. “This was a genuine collaborative
effort on behalf of the chapter working with and for our community,”
said Ms. Walker. More than
thirty additional chapters were congratulated for “Best Practices” in
their programs.
The Links,
Incorporated , founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest
volunteer service organization of women who are committed to enriching,
sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African
Americans and other persons of African ancestry. With a membership of
over 11,000 professional women of color, 273 chapters in 42 states, the
District of Columbia, Nassau, Bahamas, Frankfurt, Germany and South
Africa, the organization has contributed more than 22 million dollars to
charitable causes. In 2006, members contributed more than 500,000
documented hours of hands-on service hours to assist communities and
cities throughout the United States, Africa, and in developing
countries.
From June 28 – July 2, 2006, the Keystone Cluster
Chapters (Philadelphia area) of The Links, Inc. hosted approximately
5,000 members of The Links and their families, corporate and community
partners, and friends during the biennial meeting held at the
Philadelphia Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Gladys Gary Vaughn,
PhD, the 13th National President of The Links, Incorporated, presided
over the five days of business meetings and events. An exciting array
of initiatives and activities supported the conference theme,
Crossing Points:
60 Years – Proud Past, Promising Future.
“The framework for our deliberations during the Assembly propelled us to
demonstrate anew the connections between friendship, service and the
common good, and to plan for our future,” Dr. Vaughn said.
Through
its philanthropic arm, The Links Foundation, Inc., the organization
named its third $1 million dollar grantee – the National Civil Rights
Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Grants of $1,176,000 were made and/or
committed during this 35th Assembly.
Highlights
of the Assembly consisted of two public service projects in the local
Philadelphia community that included testing and educating the community
on Sickle Cell Disease and a partnership with the General Motors Safe
Kids/Healthy Kids Project to give away car seats for children.
Other special features were a Public Issues Forum on health
disparities, the introduction of an on-going plan for disaster
preparedness and relief, and the unveiling of the first US Postal Stamp
by an African American organization. Members honored Dr. John Hope
Franklin, Dean of African-American historians, with the first
Lifetime Achievement Award. The Sarah Strickland Scott/Margaret Roselle
Hawkins Co-Founder Awards were given to Charlayne Hunter-Gault,
award winning journalist; Jonathan Green, noted artist; and
Dr. Ben Carson, renown physician, for their contributions to their
respective professional fields.
The Assembly featured seminars and workshops
designed to assist chapters in carrying out the organization’s service
mission. Other chapters capturing first place awards for their programs
included Winston Salem (NC) for programs in International Trends &
Services; Cincinnati (OH) for programs in Services to Youth;
Fort Valley (GA) for programs in The Arts; and the Renaissance
Chapter (Detroit, MI) for its Umbrella Project at the Courtis School.
The assembly closed with the election and
installation of its new officers for the next biennium. Dr.
Gwendolyn Byrd Lee, from the South Suburban Chicago (IL) Chapter,
was elected 14th National President of The Links,
Incorporated. Margot James Copeland, from the Cleveland (OH)
Chapter is the Vice President; Lula Lang-Jeter, from the
Arlington (VA) Chapter was elected Treasurer; and Dr. Josephine Davis
from the Fort Valley (GA) Chapter was elected Secretary. Upon her
election, Dr. Lee said “The Links, Incorporated is an amazing
organization of women whose collective force can do wonders to make a
difference in our communities, cities, states and the world. We have a
great legacy to build upon and we are up for the tasks ahead of us.”
National Trends & Services Photo TAG:
Members of The Links, Incorporated present Chapter
Program Awards for programs in National Trends & Services. Pictured
left-to-right – Dr. Gwendolyn Lee, 14th National President;
Altha Manning, Programs Coordinator; Patricia Francis and Minta Spain
(President) from the Greater New York Chapter; Lori Brewer, Fresno
Chapter President; Eddyce Hobson and Daisy Walker (President), Charlotte
Chapter; Alma Dodd, National Trends & Services Director; and Dr. Gladys
Gary Vaughn, 13th National President.
Click here for a copy of the press release.
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