Founders Day Draft Booklet_2 Page

“Increasing our Collective Impact by Valuing our LINKED Individuality”

“Increasing our Collective Impact by Valuing our LINKED Individuality”

Message from Area Director

Link Lorna Hankins
Western Area Director
The Links, Incorporated

“So much of our future lies in preserving our past.”
-Richard Westbrook

As the Western Area of The Links, Incorporated celebrates 70 years of friendship and service
in 2020, we can reflect proudly on the work begun by first Western Area Director Loraine
Rickmond and her sister Links, and trace its trajectory of excellence and impact to current
times. Much has changed since 1950, but much has remained the same. The Links, Incorpo-
rated, and most certainly, the Western Area of The Links, Incorporated, continues to serve its
communities on a foundation of friendship guided by core values that ring as true today as in
the past. Friendship. Integrity. Honesty. Service. Commitment. Family Relationships. Cour-
age. Respect for Self and Others. Legacy. Confidentiality. Responsibility. Accountability. All
remain the bricks and mortar bolstering our pillars of sisterhood and community service.

We are so proud to share this commemorative book that chronicles the work of our 60 West-
ern Area Chapters in fulfilling the dreams of Loraine Rickmond and the mission originally con-
ceived by Links, Incorporated founders Margaret Roselle Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott
in 1946. To honor their legacy and spotlight our history, this compilation showcases our
Western Area Chapters’ charter and current members, pays homage to our esteemed Alumna
and Platinum members, celebrates friendship with illustrative quotes, and highlights the
amazing and diverse service projects of our most recent inductees. The Links, Incorporated
has always been first in line to tackle and resolve issues critical to our communities and in this
table top commemorative, we show you how chapters around the Western Area have re-
sponded to the growing homelessness crisis with initiatives and programs to support individu-
als, families and communities restoring dignity and hope along the way. Working with shel-
ters, food pantries, faith centers, corporate partners and others, the Western Area is commit-
ted to transitioning those who experience homelessness to more stable living situations. It
doesn’t stop there, though. Our Links members are equally committed to advocacy for equal
access to home ownership, elimination of discriminatory loan practices, equity in community
resources, including quality education, and increased opportunity for jobs and job security.
The community service projects that you will see here address the entire spectrum of home-
lessness and offer “real life” options for eradicating the often systemic obliteration of access to
the human rights of home, health, safety and security.

Many, many thanks to Western Area Vice Director Karen Cole and her subcommittees and the
Western Area Chapters that brought this keepsake to life. Tireless hours and long nights have
produced a tribute to the power of collective action to make change and has provided a bea-
con of hope to encourage sustained commitment and collaboration for years to come.

Lorna Hankins
Western Area Director
The Links, Incorporated

“Increasing our Collective Impact by Valuing our LINKED Individuality”

Past Area Directors

“Increasing our Collective Impact by Valuing our LINKED Individuality”

Link Loraine Rickmond Link ULirnskulTaeMsturrell Link Esther Garrett Nelson
1951—1956 1956—1960 1960-1964

Oakland Bay (CA) Chapter Los Angeles (CA) Chapter (Researching Archives For
Communications; Horizons; Making Ready Social Pat- Theme)
The Role of Links in Social terns For Complete Integra-
tion; Educating for Democ-
Progress.
racy

Link Christine Meade Link Julia B. Smith Link Marion S. Sutherland
1964–1968 1972–1977 1977–1981

Seattle (WA) Chapter Oakland Bay Area (CA) Seattle (WA) Chapter
Implementing The Chal- Chapter Forward in Friendship; Improving The Quality of
lenge Of The Great Society
Reach Out…Break Through; Life by
Opportunity of Excellence Linking Leadership and Service To Meet The

Challenge

Link Bobbie Whitehead Link Doris McCarroll Pelkey Link Edwina Gray Higgins
1981–1983 1983–1987 1987–1991

Seattle (WA) Chapter Pasadena-Altadena (CA) Houston (TX) Chapter
Making History – Providing Chapter Collectively and Proactively

Hope Growth With Knowledge Facing The
Challenge of the 21st Cen-

tury

Past Area Directors

“Increasing our Collective Impact by Valuing our LINKED Individuality”

Link Thelma J. Rice Link BarbLainrak LToersdt Watkins Link Norma Jean Tucker
1991–1995 1995–1999 1999–2003

Inglewood Pacific (CA) Dallas (TX) Chapter Alameda Contra Costa (CA)
Chapter Connected in Friendship, Chapter

Promoting, Principles, Pur- Called to Service An Era of Excellence
pose and Committed to Purpose

Link Sandra Dorsey Malone Link Barbra Ruffin-Boston Link Constance Fitzpatrick Smith
2003–2007 2007–2011 2011-2015

Dallas (TX) Chapter San Francisco (CA) Chapter Stockton (CA) Chapter
One Goal, One Passion… Remembering the PLEDGE . Seize the Moment… Strengthen the Chain

Making a Difference! .. of Community and National Needs
Delivering the PROMISE!

Link Roxann Thomas Chargois
2015-2019

Missouri City (TX) Chapter
“A Mind for Business and A

Heart for Service.”

Western Area Chartering Dates

Los Angeles (CA) Chapter – 9/16/1950 Alameda Contra Costa (CA) Chapter – 2/9/1985
Oakland Bay Area (CA) Chapter – 9/23/1950 Mid-Cities (TX) Chapter – 4/20/1985
San Francisco (CA) Chapter – 9/23/1950 Beverly Hills West (CA) Chapter – 5/25/1985
Houston (TX) Chapter – 3/3/1951 Claremont Area (CA) Chapter – 5/26/1985
Sacramento (CA) Chapter – 3/15/1952 Hawaii (HI) Chapter – 1/11/1986
Phoenix (AZ) Chapter – 3/22/1952 Port City (TX) Chapter – 5/16/1987
Denver (CO) Chapter – 5/5/1952 Town Lake (TX) Chapter – 4/30/1988
Greater Seattle (WA) Chapter – 12/9/1955 Plano North Metroplex (TX) Chapter – 4/1/1989
San Diego (CA) Chapter – 9/28/1957 Albuquerque (NM) Chapter – 6/10/1989
Portland (OR) Chapter – 11/9/1957 Solano County (CA) Chapter – 1/29/1994
Dallas (TX) Chapter – 11/9/1957 Trinity (TX) Chapter – 5/14/1994
Fort Worth (TX) Chapter – 12/5/1959 Texas Spring Cypress (TX) Chapter – 3/11/1995
Peninsula Bay (CA) Chapter – 11/5/1960 Gulf Coast Apollo (TX) Chapter – 10/7/1995
Austin (TX) Chapter – 12/9/1960 Fort Bend County (TX) Chapter – 3/2/1996
San Antonio (TX) Chapter – 12/10/1960 Anchorage (AK) Chapter – 5/4/2001
Tucson (AZ) Chapter – 11/23/1962 Eden Rose (CA) Chapter – 2/6/2010
East Texas (TX) Chapter – 12/6/1962 Greater Denton County (TX) Chapter – 6/9/2012
Pasadena-Altadena (CA) Chapter – 2/9/1963 Lone Star (TX) Chapter – 4/26/2014
Angel City (CA) Chapter – 2/10/1963 Greater Pearland Area (TX) Chapter – 6/14/2014
Tacoma (WA) Chapter – 10/19/1966 Colorado Springs (CO) Chapter – 5/2/2015
Stockton (CA) Chapter – 10/15/1966 Katy-Richmond Area (TX) Chapter – 4/14/2018
Harbor Area (CA) Chapter – 11/6/1966
Golden Triangle (TX) Chapter – 5/8/1971
San Fernando Valley (CA) Chapter – 5/5/1973
Orange County (CA) Chapter – 6/2/1973
Waco Central Texas (TX) Chapter – 5/25/1974
Monterey Bay (CA) Chapter – 11/16/1974
Las Vegas (NV) Chapter – 5/27/1976
Bakersfield (CA) Chapter – 6/11/1977
Fresno (CA) Chapter – 6/12/1977
El Paso (TX) Chapter – 9/17/1977
Spokane (WA) Chapter – 5/27/1978
San Bernardino Valley (CA) Chapter – 5/4/1979
Inglewood Pacific (CA) Chapter – 5/6/1979
Missouri City (TX) Chapter – 5/12/1979
San Jose (CA) Chapter – 6/6/1981
Tri-Cities (WA) Chapter – 8/5/1981
Channel Islands (CA) Chapter – 6/26/1982
Palos Verdes (CA) Chapter – 6/27/1982

Los Angeles (CA) Chapter

Chartered September 16, 1950

Link Lynne Hobbs
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Ramona R. Wilder
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Oakland Bay Area (CA) Chapter

Chartered September 23, 1950

Link Sheila Hogg
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Theresa Clincy
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

San Francisco (CA) Chapter

Chartered September 23, 1950

Link Kay Carney-Filmore
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Mignon Monroe
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Houston (TX) Chapter

Chartered March 3, 1951

Link Lorraine Winslow
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Willetta Rucker
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Sacramento (TX) Chapter

Chartered March 15, 1952

Link Carolyn Veal Hunter
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Beverly O'Neal
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Phoenix (AZ) Chapter

Chartered March 22, 1952

Link Cheryl Pete
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Denise Leverett
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Denver (CO) Chapter

Chartered May 5, 1952

Link Jada Dixon
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Rosemarie Allen
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Greater Seattle (WA) Chapter

Chartered December 9, 1955

Link Jeanette James
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Phyllis Turner-Brim
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

San Diego (CA) Chapter

Chartered September 28, 1957

Link Eleanor Charlton
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Leslie Athill
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Portland (OR) Chapter

Chartered November 9, 1957

Link Serena Ashley
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Natalie Hooper
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Dallas (TX) Chapter

Chartered November 9, 1957

Link Ingrid Buchanan
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Linda Todd
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Fort Worth (TX) Chapter

Chartered December 5, 1959

Link Arlene Barnett
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Kristin Vinson Wright
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Peninsula Bay (CA) Chapter

Chartered November 5, 1960

Link Patricia Nelson-Doyle
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Tamara Sisk
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Austin (TX) Chapter

Chartered December 9, 1960

Link Georgia Johnson
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Angela Henderson
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

San Antonio (TX) Chapter

Chartered December 10, 1960

Link Paula E. Miles
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Kayla J. Jackson
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Tucson (AZ) Chapter

Chartered November 23, 1962

Link Sherry Cook
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Jeanette Washburn
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

East Texas (TX) Chapter

Chartered December 6, 1962

Link Sharon Roy
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Tina Wesley
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Pasadena-Altadena (CA) Chapter

Chartered February 9, 1963

Link Charmayne Mills Ealy
President

Vice President Membership

Top Photo: Chartering Photo
Bottom Photo: Current Photo

Angel City (CA) Chapter

Chartered February 10, 1963

Link Dora Carlson Mayo-Wise
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Saeida Miller
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Tacoma (WA) Chapter

Chartered October 19, 1966

Link Frances Davis
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Stockton (CA) Chapter

Chartered October 15, 1966

Link Pheon Davison
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Karen Rea
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Harbor Area (CA) Chapter

Chartered November 6, 1966

Link Valerie Green Amos
President

Link Natalie Nagthall
Vice President Membership

Top Photo: Chartering Photo
Bottom Photo: Current Photo

Golden Triangle (TX) Chapter

Chartered May 8, 1971

Link Pamela Cooper
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Ingrid Holmes
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

San Fernando Valley (CA) Chapter

Chartered May 5, 1973

Link Sonya Vaughn
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Gina Smith DeVille
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Orange County (CA) Chapter

Chartered June 2, 1973

Link Robyn Hastings
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Janet Webb
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Waco Central Texas (TX) Chapter

Chartered May 25, 1974

Link Demetra Kennedy
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Josette Ayres
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Monterey Bay (CA) Chapter

Chartered November 16, 1974

Link WilletteJones
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Starra Hill
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Las Vegas (NV) Chapter

Chartered May 27, 1976

Link Verna Stringer
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Keysa Rogers
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Bakersfield (CA) Chapter

Chartered June 11, 1977

Link Olivia Perkins Washington
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Zadie Hurd
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Fresno (CA) Chapter

Chartered June 12, 1977

Link Arrolene Burrell
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Dorothy Toney
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

El Paso (TX) Chapter

September 17, 1977

Link Beatrice Middleton
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Sheri Simmons
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Spokane (WA) Chapter

Chartered May 27, 1978

Link Shirlyn Hillson
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Shalena Armstrong
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

San Bernardino Valley (TX) Chapter

Chartered May 4, 1979

Link Kathleen Hall
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Tracy Tillman
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Inglewood Pacific (CA) Chapter

Chartered May 6, 1979

Link Denise Downing
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Susan Odom Houze
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Missouri City (TX) Chapter

Chartered May 12, 1979

Link Iris Cross
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Muriel Funches
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

San Jose (CA) Chapter

Chartered June 6, 1981

Link Tracy Bowers
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Yvonne Waldron-
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Robinson

Vice President Membership

Tri-Cities (WA) Chapter

Chartered August 5, 1981

Link Maria McDonald McNamar
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Chaune Fitzgerald
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Channel Islands (CA) Chapter

Chartered June 26, 1982

Link Pamela Perkins-Dwyer
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Daphne King
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Palos Verdes (CA) Chapter

Chartered June 27, 1982

Link Julia Matthews-Manor
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Cassandra Alexander
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Alameda Contra Costa (CA) Chapter

Chartered February 9, 1985

Link Jocelyn Freeman Garrick
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Kathrina Weeks
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Mid-Cities (TX) Chapter

Chartered April 20, 1985

Link Carolyn Roberson
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Brenda Raney
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership

Beverly Hills West (CA) Chapter

Chartered May 25, 1985

Link Adell Batchelor Walker
President

Top Photo: Chartering Photo Link Zna Portlock
Bottom Photo: Current Photo Vice President Membership