The Orlando(FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
WELCOME
Greetings,
The Orlando (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is dedicated to a better Orlando community. Together we donate thousands of volunteer hours each year through our facets, fundraisers, and programs. We are “Linked in Friendship and Connected in Service.” On behalf of the members of The Orlando (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, thank you for your support as we work together to improve the lives of women and children of African descent through transformational programming on a local, national and international level.
About The Orlando (FL) Chapter
On April 5, 1952, under the astute supervision of Margaret Hawkins, one of the founders of The Links, Incorporated, the chapter’s chartering ceremony was held at the home of Georgia Schanck. The ten charter members were L. Claudia Allen, Leola Nixon, Linda H. Reddick, Bertha Scales, Georgia Schanck, Betty Smith, Thelma M. Speight, Edith Starke, Clifford Wells, and Ethel Wooden. The first chapter officers were Leola Nixon, President; Clifford Wells, Vice President; Georgia Schanck, Secretary; Bertha Scales, Treasurer; Ethel Wooden, Historian; Linda H. Reddick, Journalist.
PROGRAMMING
SERVICES TO YOUTH
Mary McLeod Bethune’s “My Last Will and Testament” still serves today as a clarion call to train youth to become informed, full participants in the social and economic forces that will shape the future. The Links, Incorporated created its first program facet, Services to Youth, to equip African-American children to use their intellect and spirit of achievement to indeed walk with their fellows in leading the way.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The mission of the Health and Human Services facet is to promote and facilitate programs that support the maintenance of good health and the elimination of chronic health disparities in communities of color through education, health advocacy, and optimal utilization of health resources. Community education about health risks is crucial and The Links, Incorporated can play a significant role in providing it.
THE ARTS
The Links support of the arts can be traced to our cultured co-founder Margaret Roselle Hawkins. Her innate artistic talent, discovered at a young age, earned her a four-year scholarship to the Women’s School of Design, later known as the Moore Institute of Art. Her passion for creative expression later led to her appointment as an art teacher and helped give root to the establishment of The Arts facet in 1964 at the 14th National Assembly.
INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
The mission of the International Trends and Services facet is to expand the global platform for programs designed and developed to service the educational, health and cultural needs of people of African descent throughout the world. All programmatic components of the facet are delivered through measurable and sustainable service delivery methods that reach women and their families.
NATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
The vision of the National Trends and Services facet is to eliminate disparities by reducing barriers to services through advocacy, education, and service. Our mission is to empower our chapters to effectively empower the communities in which we work. Our goals include increasing the number of sustainable and measurable programs; increasing collaborative partnerships; and extending our existing initiatives to include communities identified as having the greatest need..
Links In Action
