(Editor's note: Throughout my 12 years living in Little Rock, where I relocated from Monroe, La., I have been very impressed with the the Little Rock Chapter of The Links, Inc. — especially their devotion to helping others. Ladies, I want to congratulate you and wish you success with all your future endeavors!)
By Renarda A. Williams (aka Abari Sankofa)
On Nov. 9, 1946, Sarah Scott and Margaret Hawkins, two young Philadelphia, PA, matrons, "summoned their friends together and called upon them to link their friendship resources to form a chain of strength in order to improve the quality of life and provide the hope of the disadvantaged African American citizens.”
The heeding of that request was the beginning of The Links, Inc., America's oldest and largest volunteer service organization of women "committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.”
The organization was incorporated in 1951. It now encompasses approximately 14,000 women in 283 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, whose primary purpose is to promote and engage in educational, civic and intercultural activities that carry out its mission.
On January 13, 1956 — a decade after the founding of the Links Inc. — its Little Rock Chapter was chartered by 26 women. The current membership consists of 37 active and eight alumna members dedicated to serving the community. Gloria Love is the Little Rock Chapter President.
Gloria Love
On Nov. 11, the chapter will celebrate its 60th Diamond Anniversary with a black-tie gala, 7 p.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Doors open at 6 p.m. The evening will include dinner, live entertainment by the Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, and dancing. For tickets, $200 each, call (501) 350-3124 or email anniversary@littlerocklinksinc.org. (The event is a replacement for what otherwise would have been the chapter's 2016 Jazz Brunch, traditionally held the first Saturday in December.)
Members of The Links give back to their communities through generous contributions of their time, energy and finances to organizations whose goals parallel their own, such as The United Negro College Fund and the Susan G. Koran Foundation. Just since 2006, the Little Rock Chapter has given more than $100,000 in scholarships and charitable donations.
Programs of The Links are designed to improve the quality of life for individuals that are traditionally underserved through its five program facets: The Arts, International Trends and services, Services to Youth, Health, and National Trends and Services. Local chapter programs are designed to impact elementary, middle and senior high students as well as senior citizens in the Pulaski county area. But not all chapter work is concentrated in local efforts. The chapter collaborated with Arkansas’ one other Links chapter — located in Pine Bluff — and several chapters in Tennessee to build the Valentine School in South Africa. These chapters continue to provide ongoing support for the school. The Little Rock chapter also implemented Linkages to Life, a program that includes organ, bone marrow and tissue transplant education and organ-donation initiatives.
"Our chapter members are extremely proud of the 60-year record of community service in the Little Rock metropolitan area,” Love wrote in "Message from the President — History and Purpose of the Little Rock Chapter,” part of a chapter booklet. "In our 60th year, as we move forward, locked in a chain of friendship and service, we pledge to redouble our efforts and honor our beloved organizers and charter members by doing all in our power to preserve the mission, integrity and legacy of the Little Rock Chapter of the Links, Inc.”
What does Love believe to be the greatest accomplishment of the Little Rock Chapter of The Links, Inc.? She cited the progress that the chapter has made versus when she became a member nearly 30 years ago. She is especially proud their work to help children in such areas as education and health (the latter including implementation of an obesity program, teaching healthful eating habits, and giving away bicycles). "We work hard to raise money for our children,” she said.
Back in 1956 — and today — "Our goal is to make a difference for ourselves and our world."
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