Portland Chapter of The Links History Book

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Copyright ©2021 Portland Chapter of e Links, Incorporated
Dedication by Linda J. Harris
Introduction by Myrna-Yvonne Williams
Poem by Sylvia Welch
Written by Linda J. Harris
Photo research managed by Myrna-Yvonne Williams
Cover design by Maria Jackson
Art direction and text design by Maria Jackson
Facts entered in this publication are based on archival materials in hand. ere are
occasional gaps in data based on missing resources.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without
written permission from e Portland Chapter of e Links, Incorporated.

e Portland Chapter of e Links, Incorporated
P.O. Box 4647
Portland, OR 97208

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To all who have been a part of
Linkdom with honor given to our
founders, charter members, National
Presidents, and Western Area Directors.

—Link Linda J. Harris

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Preface 08 NATIONAL TRENDS & SERVICES 88
Introduction 10 INTERNATIONAL TRENDS & SERVICES 98
Poem 13 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 106
Our History 15 AFRICAN AMERICAN AIDS ACTION AWARENESS ALLIANCE (A6) 115
Membership 19 119
24 Social Affairs 139
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES 35 145
38 CELEBRATIONS 165
Leadership 41 173
42 Galas 191
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS 43 Anniversaries 194
WESTERN AREA APPOINTED & ELECTED OFFICERS 45 Conferences 196
CHAPTER APPOINTED OFFICERS 46 Awards 200
SCOTT HAWKINS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE 51 204
PACIFIC NW CLUSTER 53 NATIONAL & AREA AWARDS 206
RETREATS AND WORKSHOPS 54 CHAPTER AWARDS 208
61 COMMUNITY AWARDS 209
Programs 72 209
Final oughts
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS Tribute
SERVICES TO YOUTH Acknowledgments
STARLIGHT COTILLION Sources
THE ARTS Credits

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14 1138 138

118 50
12 144

174 164 172 190 7

Preface

T he Portland Chapter of e Links, Incorporated was historically known as
the Decem Plus Club. Black women began forming clubs in 1885. eir
work focused on the protection of young women, the education of boys,
lengthening the school term in some impoverished school districts, and instructing
mothers in training children. e National Federation of African American Women
included 36 clubs in 12 states by 1896. Examples of some Black women’s clubs
formed in the 1900s were Black Suffrage, Voter Education, and the Women’s
Republican Club. e mission of these clubs formed the foundation for many
organizations such as e Links, Incorporated with interest in education, youth, and
the well-being of the family. e Portland Links Chapter was formed by members of
the Decem Plus Club—a membership of eight which grew to 10 by the year the
chapter was chartered on November 9, 1957. Ella Baker is quoted as saying “e
movement of the fties and sixties was carried largely by women.” e movement
continues to be sustained by the industrious work of e Links.

8 PREFACE

PREFACE 9

Views From an Active
Platinum Member

nd this I promise.”, a phrase from e Links Pledge e Links program development is similar to that of sororities.

that I have repeated for the past 48 years every second Programs in sororities are called “committees” and programs in

Saturday since 1973. On April 9, 1973, I became the e Links are called “facets”. ese programs are where you

youngest and only unmarried member of e Portland Chapter work to make a difference in the community for service. is is

of e Links, Incorporated. My aunt, Lois A. Sayles was a the heart and soul of the organization. is is where you inform,

member of the chapter, therefore, fArnomd tthhies LI ipnrkosm Pisleed, ga e p t hh ra a t s eI h a v e cecnoapmliagmchittueiennsi, t iyne.x pI ohseae Lv, eian nskedsr ,v efedrdou mcian tc ehm ayapontueyrr
I was already aware of the amount repeated for the pas t 4 8 y e a r s President to HHS Facet Chair,
of time involved for active Links. every second Saturd a y s i n c e 1 9 7 3 . Ebony Fashion Fair Publicity Chair
I had volunteered for years. My
favorite program, of course, was to Chairs of Project LEAD and the
their annual fundraiser since

1960, e Ebony Fashion Fair. e price of tickets in 1960 was Debutante Cotillion, NTS Voter Campaigning to HIV

$3.50, with the General Admission ticket price rising to $60 Awareness and Health disparities in the Black community. It has

and the Patron ticket costing $100 when the show ended in been my pleasure and a privilege to serve, yet I have felt more

2009. In the early years, funding was donated to local passionate about NTS and HHS. I believe that my impact met

organizations. Later, funds were designated for scholarships to my commitment “…to serve my community and my chapter

deserving high school seniors matriculating to college. to the best of my ability.”

10 INTRODUCTION

L I N K M Y R N A -Y V ON N E W I L L I A M S , AC T I V E P L AT I N U M M E M B E R
Link Yvonne has attained Platinum Member status. She is active, over 80 years of age, and has 48 years of service.

INTRODUCTION 11

Standing: Kathryn Bogle, Mildred Reynolds, Jessie Johnson, Marguerite Williams, Carmen Walker, Clementyne T. Guy
Seated: Name Unknown, Mercedes Diaz, Carmen Walker, Fannie Stills Chatman, Emma Lewis, Ellen T. Law 1959

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LINKS, INCORPORATED

As Links
We lean into our unity
With our community

Intent on
Living the purpose of our words fervently

Relayed
rough a banquet of talents
Matching expectations and abilities
at we, as sisters, so readily

Display.


We are prescribed to be together
In this endeavor

Not by happenstance
But by a choice
at persists.

We convert our songs and pledges
Into manifestations of Friendships
at would be deemed impossible

If they didn’t
Already exist.

—Link Sylvia Welch

POEM 13

Clementyne T. Guy, Marguerite Williams, Mildred Reynolds, Carmen Walker, Kathryn Bogle,
Jessie Johnson, Annetta Brown, Fannie Stills Chatman, Bernadette Plummer, Marjorie Brown

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D ecem Plus members were interested in serving the community. After
Kathryn Bogle’s conversations in 1951 with elma Toms of San Francisco
(CA) Chapter and with Lorraine Cady Rickmond, the rst National Area
Director and the rst President of the Oakland Bay (CA) Chapter in 1953, the
Portland Chapter was chartered on November 9, 1957. Ursula Murell, second Area
Director, Los Angeles (CA) Chapter was the installing officer. e Seattle (WA)
Chapter was the Sponsoring Chapter with Sarai Greene, Seattle Chapter President.
Portland was the ninth chapter in the Western Area and the rst in the state which
increased the number of states in the Area to ve. e Portland Chapter was the 71st
chapter in e Links, Incorporated.

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16 OUR HISTORY

Chapter members with three new Link members (inset) 1958–59

OUR HISTORY 17

Annetta Brown, Bernadette Plummer, Marjorie Brown, Fannie Stills Chatman,
Marguerite Williams, Carmen Walker, June Brown, Mildred Reynolds, Kathyrn Bogle

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S mall but mighty. Being a small chapter, Portland has had some concerns
about low membership over the years, however, we have never been on
probation for this status. e Portland chapter has inducted talented and
gifted women. e range of occupations and roles include educators, homemakers,
attorneys, engineers, entrepreneurs, administrators, business and nancial managers,
health and civil service workers, insurance agents, pharmaceutical sales representatives,
physicians, ministers, social workers, legislators, and realtors. With an array of
dynamic skill sets, these women bring to their communities a high level of dedication
of service and commitment.
Core values are those values that we hold that form the foundation on which we
work and conduct ourselves. In Linkdom, the eight-core values: Friendship, Integrity,
Honesty, Service, Commitment, Family Relationships, Courage, and Respect for Self
and Others, undergird our friendship and sisterhood, Signature Programs, and
Strategic Planning. In practical terms, we are to be mindful of these values and
practice them as we work individually and collectively in e Links.

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A beautiful example of excellence.
Link Jessie Johnson pins a
corsage on newly inducted Link
Myrna-Yvonne Williams in April 1973.
Her smile still shines bright with pride.
Link Yvonne rocked this red-trimmed
white dress at her induction. e mandate
to wear uninterrupted white was adopted
many years later.

MEMBERSHIP 21

Geraldine Christian, Johnnie Stokes, Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Geneva Jones, Kathryn Bogle, Jewell Johns, Clementyne T. Guy

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Elaine Jamison, Geraldine Christian, Jewell Johns Jeanne Hartzog, Addie Jean Haynes, Clementyne T. Guy

Johnnie Stokes, Geraldine Christian, Rosemary Anderson Rosemary Anderson, Geneva Jones, Alvenice Brown, Mildred Reynolds

MEMBERSHIP 23

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES

10 19 19 34 41

1957–1967 1968–1978 1979–1989 1990–2020 2020–2021

Membership numbers include Alumnae members. By 2000, more members assuming
Alumnae status chose to still remain active in the chapter. is has been of great
bene t to our small chapter as the division of labor has been of tremendous help with
task distribution.

24 MEMBERSHIP

L inks demonstrate leadership ability
and wield in uence in the
communities that they serve. Links
represent Greek organizations, religious
affiliations, different marital statuses, and
range from 38 to 82 years of age.

MEMBERSHIP 25

Standing: Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Sylvia Welch, Jackie Ward, Rosemary Anderson, Edna Hicks, Freddye Prophet, Lydia R. Roy, Marian Gilmore,
Mildred Olay, Carol Chism, Johnnie Stokes, Linda J. Harris, Sharon Washington-Clark; Seated: Lolita Darby, Bobbie Nunn, Carmen Walker,
Barbara Leonard, Betty Cabine, Geneva Jones; Inset: Fannie Stills Chatman, Jacquelyn W. Brown, Marlene Fuller,
Jacquelyn N. Brown, Elaine Hartzog, Addie Jean Haynes, Barbara Ward, Consuelo Romanski, Grace Shephard, Patricia Walker 2004

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Back Row: Johnnie Broadous, Maria Jackson, Betty Cabine, Estella Brame, Rhonda Thomas, Vanessa Morgan; Middle Row: Harriet Adair,
Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Marian Gilmore, Elaine Hartzog, Patricia Walker, Jacquelyn N. Brown, Johnnie Stokes, Rochelle McElroy

Seated: Kelly Michael, Linda J. Harris, Kymberlee Crowell, Serena Ashley, Sylvia Welch, René DuBoise, Stephanie Montgomery 2017

MEMBERSHIP 27

Standing: Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Johnnie Broadous, Johnnie Stokes, Betty Cabine, Karin Edwards, Jacquelyn N. Brown, Natalie Hooper,
Adriel Person, Estella Brame, Rochelle Hunter-James, Patricia Walker, Rhonda Thomas, Stephanie Montgomery; Seated: Carla Penn-Hopson,

Barbara Thoms, Linda J. Harris, Kymberlyee Crowell, Serena Ashley, Sylvia Welch, René DuBoise, Barbara Ward, Kelly Michael 2018

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Back Row: Estella Brame, Miaya Stevenson-Griffin, Jocelynne McAdory, Rochelle Hunter-James, Victoria Schwoefferman, Lakecia Gunter; Middle
Row: Harriet Adair, Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Marian Gilmore, Johnnie Stokes, Betty Cabine, Patricia Walker, Elaine Hartzog, Maria Jackson; Front

Row: Barbara Thoms, Karin Edwards, Barbara Ward, Natalie Hooper, Serena Ashley, Linda J. Harris, Sylvia Welch, Kimberly Matier 2019

MEMBERSHIP 29

Portland (OR) Chapter Harriet Adair Serena Ashley Estella Brame

2020–21

Johnnie Broadous Jacquelyn N. Brown Betty Cabine René DuBoise Karin Edwards

Marian Gilmore Lakecia Gunter Linda J. Harris Elaine Hartzog Terry McCray Hill

Natalie Hooper Rochelle Hunter-James Kymberly Horner Kimberly Ireland Maria Jackson

30 MEMBERSHIP

Carol Johnson Kimberly Matier Jocelynne McAdory Rochelle McElroy Kelly Michael

Kizmet Mills Stephanie Montgomery Carla Penn-Hopson Adriel Person Margie Stanton

Miaya Stevenson-Griffin Johnnie Stokes Rhonda Thomas Rosemarie Thompson Barbara Thoms

Patricia Walker Barbara Ward Sylvia Welch Serena Wesley Myrna-Yvonne Williams

MEMBERSHIP 31

LINKS REMEMBERED

With unrelenting crescendo, the symphony of a life
replete with melodic progression hastens to its finale;

and a friendship that is ours to share with its
“largos” and “allegros” moves everlasting;
onward in sweet memories
of our dear departed sisters.

—Author Unknown

32 MEMBERSHIP

In Loving Memory

ROSEMARY ANDERSON KATHRYN BOGLE ANNETTA BROWN JUNE BROWN
MARJORIE BROWN KYMBERLEE CROWELL FANNIE STILLS CHATMAN HATTIE GASKIN

CLEMENTYNE T. GUY SARAI HAITH JEANNE HARTZOG ADDIE JEAN HAYNES
JEWELL JOHNS GENEVA JONES JESSIE JOHNSON BARBARA LEONARD

EMMA LEWIS BERNICE MACRAE ALDA RUTH MONROE FREDDYE PROPHET
BERNADETTE PLUMMER BRAZOLA REDICK MILDRED REYNOLDS LYDIA R. ROY
LOIS A. SAYLES JENNIE SCALES CARMEN WALKER MARGUERITE WILLIAMS

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Standing: Jessie Johnson, Annetta Brown, Fannie Stills Chatman, Carmen Walker, Kathryn Bogle
Seated: Hattie Gaskin, Sarai Haith, Marguerite Williams, Bernadette Plummer, Mildred Reynolds

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M any Links have been elected to the office of President. Some have served
in the office for more than one term. Two remarkable Links, however,
have had the longest consecutive terms as Portland Chapter Presidents.
Link Barbara Leonard held the presidential term for ve years. She then served
another two-year term. Her daughter, Link Serena Ashley, served as president for six
consecutive years.
In addition to the lengthy tenure of chapter presidents, the Portland Chapter has
been blessed with long years of service by other officers. Link Barbara Ward served as
Treasurer for nine years and Link Sylvia Welch has been Recording Secretary for 12
years. Link Estella Brame has been Publicity Chair for 11 years and has produced an
exemplary monthly newsletter.
e Record Keeping & More Award was awarded to Link Sylvia Welch at the 43rd
Western Area Conference in 2017. e Finance Circle of Excellence Award was
awarded to Link Barbara Ward also at the 43rd Western Area Conference in 2017.

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A t the end of her presidency,
Link Serena Ashley wrote a
beautiful thank you card
entitled “Forever Grateful” and sent it
to each member of the chapter. We are
grateful to Link Serena for her dedicated
service to our chapter.

36 LEADERSHIP

From 2015 to 2021 you trusted me, thank you.

Thank you for the faith
you showed in me as your president, and support of all efforts to reach the
goals set to enhance the chapter’s legacy.

Through the strain as well as
celebration, we elevated the Portland (OR) Chapter.

Together our membership
increased from 34 to 40. We reached strategic planning goals of increasing new
chapter officers and Area representation.

Portland (OR) Chapter remains
known and well respected throughout Linkdom.

You’ve made me proud of how you’ve grown, gained confidence to accept
leadership roles in our chapter and beyond.

It has been my pleasure to serve
my chapter as president the last six years. I promised to be a servant leader
and represent the chapter to the best of my ability.

With your love, support,
dedication, and willing attitudes, we succeeded. That’s why I am forever grateful.

LEADERSHIP 37

CHAPTER PRESIDENTS

1957–2021

PRESIDENT TERM IN OFFICE PRESIDENT TERM IN OFFICE

Kathryn Bogle 1957 – 1958 Jewell Johns 1973 – 1974
Carmen Walker 1974 – 1975
1958 – 1959 Carmen Walker
Bernadette Plummer 1959 – 1960 Alda Ruth Monroe 1975 – 1976
Myrna-Yvonne Williams
Clementyne T. Guy 1960 – 1961 Lois A. Sayles/Geraldine Christian 1976 – 1977
June Brown 1961 – 1962 Clementyne T. Guy
Emma Lewis 1977 – 1978
Jessie Johnson 1962 – 1963 Johnnie Stokes
1978 – 1979
Annetta Brown 1963 – 1964 Geneva Jones
1979 – 1980
Geraldine McConnell 1964 – 1965 Addie Jean Haynes 1980 – 1981

Lois A. Sayles 1965 – 1966 Freddye Prophet 1981 – 1982
1966 – 1967 1982 – 1983

1967 – 1968 1983 – 1984
1968 – 1969 1984 – 1985

1969 – 1970 1985 – 1986
1970 – 1971 1986 – 1987

1971 – 1972 1987 – 1988
1972 – 1973 1988 – 1989

38 LEADERSHIP

PRESIDENT TERM IN OFFICE PRESIDENT TERM IN OFFICE

Kay Dean Toran 1989 – 1990 Myrna-Yvonne Williams 2007 – 2008
Addie Jean Haynes 1990 – 1991 Lorraine Hood-Jack 2008 – 2009
Barbara Leonard
Clementyne T. Guy 1991 – 1992 Linda J. Harris 2009 – 2010
Rosemary Anderson 1992 – 1993 Serena Ashley
Barbara Leonard 1993 – 1994 2010 – 2011
1994 – 1995 Kimberly Matier 2011 – 2012
Linda J. Harris
Betty Cabine 1995 – 1996 2012 – 2013
1996 – 1997 2013 – 2014
2014 – 2015
1997 – 1998
1998 – 1999 2015 – 2016
2016 – 2017
1999 – 2000 2017 – 2018
2000 – 2001 2018 – 2019
2001 – 2002 2019 – 2020
2002 – 2003 2020 – 2021
2003 – 2004
2021 – Present
2004 – 2005

2005 – 2006
2006 – 2007

LEADERSHIP 39

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WESTERN AREA
APPOINTED & ELECTED

OFFICERS

Linda J. Harris Western Area Archivist/Historian Committee, 2021–present
Carla Penn-Hopson
Western Area STEM Chair, 2015–2019
Maria Jackson Western Area Program Coordinator, 2019–Present

Miaya Griffin-Stevenson Western Area Arts Committee, 2015–2017
Barbara oms Western Area Technology Committee, 2019–2021
Stephanie Montgomery
Johnnie Stokes Western Area National Trends & Services Team Specialist, 2020–present

Rosemary Anderson Western Area Liaison and the Platinum and Alumna Affairs Committee Representative, 2020–2021
Barbara Leonard
Western Area Liaison Co-Chair, Sub-Committee, Western Area Alumna Affairs Committee, 2017
Lois A. Sayles
Western Area Nominating Chair, 1980
Freddye Prophet Resolutions Committee (National)

Western Area Archivist

Western Area Nominating Committee, 2007–2009
Governance Committee (National), 2006–2008
National Election Committee, 2009–2010

Western Area Archivist, 1979–1981
Chairman, National Nominating Committee, 1982–1984

National Director, International Trends & Services, 1991–1993

LEADERSHIP 41

CHAPTER
APPOINTED OFFICERS

2020 – 2021

Kimberly Matier Barbara oms

PROGRAM CHAIR SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Jocelynne McAdory Lakecia Gunter

PARLIAMENTARIAN BLACK WOMEN EMPOWERING BLACK WOMEN

Sylvia Welch Serena Wesley

ETHICS CHAIR ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS CHAIR

Stephanie Montgomery Maria Jackson

STRATEGIC PLANNING TECHNOLOGY CHAIR

Linda J. Harris Open

ARCHIVIST/HISTORIAN BLACK LIVES MATTER REPRESENTATIVE

Estella Brame Carol Johnson

JOURNALIST/PUBLICITY CHAIR LEGAL ISSUES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE

Terry McCray Hill Open

CHAPLAIN THE ARTS CHAIR

Linda J. Harris Miaya Griffin-Stevenson

VOTING CZAR NATIONAL TRENDS & SERVICES CHAIR

Adriel Person Kizmet Mills

HBCU CHAPTER AMBASSADOR INTERNATIONAL TRENDS & SERVICES CHAIR

Rochelle Hunter-James Myrna-Yvonne Williams and Linda J. Harris

PROTOCOL OFFICER HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES CHAIR

42 LEADERSHIP

SCOTT HAWKINS
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

T he vision of the Scott Hawkins Leadership Institute (SHLI) was realized by
the 13th National President, Gladys Gary Vaughn, and was introduced at the

34th National Assembly in 2004. e SHLI was created in honor of Links
Co-founders, Margaret Rosell Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott. e institute is a

two-year fellowship program to hone and develop leadership development skills. If

Links aged 25–39 have held a chapter office, they are eligible to compete for

admission. e Institute is led by Deans and staffed by a faculty.

Linda J. Harris, SHLI Faculty Maria Jackson, SHLI Fellow Serena Ashley, SHLI Fellow
Cohort I, 2006 Cohort III, 2008 Cohort VI, 2012

LEADERSHIP 43

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PACIFIC NW
CLUSTER

C luster workshops originated in the Western Area by Julie B. Smith, 6th
Western Area Director. Cluster meetings provided an opportunity for
presidents within the cluster to meet, enjoy each other’s company, discuss
Links’ common issues, build strength through coalescence, and grow. e Paci c
Northwest Cluster Chapters are located in Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, Spokane,
Tacoma, and the Tri-Cities. Cluster workshop, Links Expressing a Growing Awareness
of Our Times and Our People, was held on April 24, 1982 at the Sheraton Hotel in
Spokane, WA. Seattle Chapter Links held the PNW Cluster Workshop March 30 and
31, 1990. e theme of the workshop was Creating Opportunities for the ’90s:
Commitment to Self, Service, and Sisterhood. e event was held at the May ower
Hotel. Portland Chapter hosted the PNW Cluster March 12, 1994. In 2004, the
PNW Cluster Workshop was again held in Portland, OR. e theme of the workshop
was Empowerment rough Economics, Education, and Engagement. e Member
Development Committee featured the 10th National President (1977–1981), Link
Marian Sutherland. Western Area Director Sandra Dorsey Malone, Western Area Vice
Director Constance Rice, and Link Linda J. Harris, Portland (OR) Chapter President.

LEADERSHIP 45

RETREATS AND
WORKSHOPS

I t has been a practice for the chapter to meet in August or September to plan the
program year. In 2010, Link Jocelynne McAdory led the rst Strategic Plan
effort in our chapter with the theme, It’s a New Day. All Links wore a t-shirt
with this theme to the summer workshop. In 2020, Link Carla Penn-Hopson, as
Western Area Program Chair, focused on Umbrella Programs and Transformational
Programs. e goal of the workshops is for facets to develop and share an outline of
their Logic Models for the upcoming program year and to update the Strategic Plan.

46 LEADERSHIP

RETREAT THEME LOCATION DATE

An Era of Excellence Sheraton Hotel June 8, 2002
Portland, OR July 26, 2003
Who Moved My Cheese? e Links are Moving July 12, 2004
With the Cheese PCC Cascade Campus September 10, 2005
Vision Motivated and Change Re ections: How Portland, OR July 15, 2006
Did We Do? August 25, 2007
Membership Growth and Retention DoubleTree Hotel Lloyd Center August 9, 2008
Portland, OR August 1, 2009
Reconnecting Our Links August 28, 2010
Hotel Mallory, Garden Room
Annual Chapter Planning Workshop Portland, OR LEADERSHIP 47

Ensuring Program Success Home of Link Joanne Edward
West Linn, OR
Annual Chapter Planning Workshop
J & M Education Center
Annual Chapter Planning Workshop Lake Oswego

Home of Link Lorraine Hood-Jack
Portland, OR

Emanuel Hospital
Portland, OR

Emanuel Hospital
Portland, OR

Jacquelyn W. Brown (left) and Johnnie Stokes (right) with visiting Link Dr. Linda Moore Sanders, visiting Link, Carol Jones

Mildred Olay (third from left) and Freddye Prophet (standing) Mildred Olay and Mary Wilson (Tacoma, WA Chapter)
with visiting Links

48 LEADERSHIP