Memphis (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated | est. 1952 | Trailblazing women committed to making a difference in our community through service and friendship Charter members were: Sallie Bartholomew, Alma Booth, Orphelia Byas, Jewel Gentry Hulbert, Marion Gibson, Helen Howard, Johnetta Kelso, Althea Price, Nellie Roulhac, Helen Sawyer, Vivian White, Bettye Young, Grace Young and Addie D. The M
emphis (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is one of 270 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, who share a mission of service. For 60 years, the Memphis (TN) Chapter has made major contributions to the Memphis and Shelby County community through the enrichment of the lives of women and girls, increased access to higher education, support of general education, presentations of the arts, and financial contributions through grants to local organizations. For 22 years, the Memphis (TN) Chapter has sponsored The Holiday Cotillion which culminates a year of preparing young ladies to become successful role models and future leaders in Memphis and Shelby County. The young ladies participate in the Cotillion Leadership and Service Program (CLASP) throughout the year to develop their leadership skills and to provide them with the opportunity to participate in community service projects as they prepare to be presented to the Memphis community. The Holiday Cotillion serves as a fundraiser to fund the many projects and programs supported by the Memphis (TN) Chapter. Organizations and agencies that have benefited from the Memphis (TN) Chapter’s programs and funding include, but are not limited to: Memphis City Schools, Girl’s Inc., Southwest Mental Health Center, Memphis Shelby County Public Library ($50,000), LeMoyne Owen College Scholarship fund ($100,000 endowment), Lewis Senior Citizens, MIFA, Memphis in May, Memphis Weekend Academy, Dress for Success, Memphis Urban Debate League, Knowledge Bowl, Strong Me, Camp Awareness (Hattiloo Theatre), Alzheimer’s Day Services of Memphis, Inc., and SNAP! Music Summer Camp Soulsville Foundation. Globally, in partnership with Water for Africa (WFA), the Memphis (TN) Chapter donated funds to build water tanks used to create sustainable drinking water systems for Kenyan school children. In addition, The Links Foundation has pledged one million dollars (1,000,000) to the National Civil Rights Museum. From its inception, The Links, Incorporated has addressed community service through its threefold purpose in the areas of educational, civic and intercultural commitment using five program facets: National Trends and Services, Services to Youth, The Arts, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. The Memphis (TN) Chapter is committed to providing transformational programming efforts that are strategically aligned with the organization’s national goals and objectives and the needs of the Memphis community. Current signature service programs of the Memphis (TN) Chapter include: It’s a Girl’s Life - a mentoring and support system for a select group of young ladies from Girl’s Inc., Frayser High School, Hamilton High School, Central High School and Booker T. The program is designed to help decrease the probability of them becoming high school drop-outs, being physically and sexually abused, becoming pregnant or having poor academic performance. This year, the Memphis (TN) Chapter presented the college bound seniors who graduated from the It’s a Girl’s Life program with scholarships and laptop computers to aid in their college studies. ArtLinks is an artistic after-hour school enrichment program for students 7-12 years of age attending Klondike Elementary School.The program is designed to help students develop an appreciation of music,visual art and theater in addition to promoting positive character traits. This year, the partnership with Klondike Elementary School was enhanced to include in-school field trips where representatives from various art disciplines conduct in-school workshops that expose the students to various art forms including: jazz/blues, storytelling/poetry, ballet/dance, drama/theatre, visual arts, and filmmaking. In the last six decades, the Memphis Chapter has sponsored numerous community service projects and special events and has contributed to various service agencies and educational institutions. During our more than sixty year history in Memphis, Chapter endeavors include: Memphis City Schools, Lewis Senior Citizens, Girls, Inc., Africa Care, NAACP, Southwest Mental Health Center, Africa in April, Memphis in May, MIFA, and built a school in Africa. We have presented the works of the late DeWitt Jordan, Wiley Henry, and Benny and George Andrews. We have also participated in the art exhibiit “Wade in the Water.” We have presented the jewelry exhibit of Heir-o-Link William Bartholomew at the Brooks Museum of Art. The Links, Incorporated, Memphis (TN) Chapter is prepared to continue its history of supporting worthwhile projects that enhance the quality of life in the Memphis Community.
