The Links, Incorporated

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. 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.

Our core values are friendship, integrity, honesty, service, commitment, family relationships, courage, respect for self and others, legacy, confidentiality, responsibility, and accountability. The members of The Links, Incorporated are influential decision makers and opinion leaders. The Links, Incorporated 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 toward a common vision by engaging like-minded organizations and individuals for partnership. Links members contribute more than 1 million 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. In 2019, The Links, Incorporated was nominated for a Luxembourg Peace Prize by the Schengen Peace Foundation and recognized by the late Congressman John Lewis as a distinguished organization of outstanding community service and influence.

The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has five facets which include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services and Health and Human Services. The programs are implemented through strategies such as public information and education, economic development, and public policy campaigns.

Where We Work

Eastern Area

The legacy of the Philadelphia (PA) Chapter is the story of The Links, Incorporated. It is also the story of the Eastern Area. What began as the Philadelphia Club in 1946, was reborn as National Links in 1949 comprising of 13 additional clubs at that time. In 1954, when The Links decentralized into four geographic areas, the Philadelphia (PA) Chapter became the anchor for the Eastern Area. The Eastern Area is comprised of 82 chapters in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia, as well as in the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom.

Southern Area

The Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated is comprised of 84 chapters across seven states and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Members of the Southern Area hail from the Deep South states of Mississippi and Alabama; the French tradition and Creole culture of Louisiana; the coastal wonders of North and South Carolina; the southern charm of Georgia; the emerald coasts and sugar beaches of sunny Florida; and the sun-drenched tropical beauty of the Bahamas.

Central Area

Comprised of 72 chapters in 15 states, the Central Area of The Links, Incorporated burgeoned in 1950 with a proliferation of chapters. Imbued with the spirit of our beloved co-founders, Margaret Rosell Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott, Central Area chapters came together in friendship, and with a true commitment to service. Members of the Central Area understand that it is incumbent upon us not simply to abide by our shared values but to put them into compassionate practice.

Western Area

Drawing on the synergy generated by women who are committed to friendship and service, the Western Area is comprised of 61 chapters, located in ten states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington. Moving forward in the 21st century, members of the Western Area are reminded that the legacy of service and friendship provided by the first three chapters continues – as The Links makes a difference in transforming the lives of people of African ancestry and of the global community.