Portland Chapter of The Links History Book

United Nations Day held at the Forestry Center
Standing: Freddye Prophet, Geneva Jones, Lydia R. Roy, Mildred Reynolds; Seated: Bernice MacRae, Jewell Johns

PROGRAMS 99

I n 2011, the ITS Committee agreed to provide aid to the Wine for Water
fundraiser created by Senator Jackie Winters. e fundraiser served to support the
Yatima Group Fund, a 501c3 Corporation that served 4,000 plus orphans and
other vulnerable children in Tanzania, Africa. e funds were to help build four water
reservoirs to collect and hold rainfall. Each chapter member contributed $5 to support
the 2000 Boots on the Ground Initiative to build water wells in Haiti. Link René
DuBois, Chair of ITS, traveled to Haiti in 2016 along with other Links and Western
Area Director, Roxann Chargois, to participate in the initiative.
Two years later, e Human Trafficking Initiative was addressed by our chapter as
part of Sex Trafficking under National Trends & Services. In 2019, the Portland
chapter began supporting Global Mustard Seed Missions, Inc., an organization that
provides mobile medical care services within economically impoverished regions of
developing countries.

100 PROGRAMS

Links in Haiti Building water wells in Haiti

PROGRAMS 101

Setting the standard of giving back by donating canned goods in 1958

102 PROGRAMS

Following their example and still giving back by donating personal supplies to YWCA Showers for Shelters

PROGRAMS 103

Book club meeting at the home of Link Carla Penn-Hopson Maria Jackson, Linda J. Harris, René DuBoise

104 PROGRAMS

Carla Penn-Hopson, Linda J. Harris, Serena Ashley, Johnnie Stokes, Rhonda Thomas, Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Maria Jackson

PROGRAMS 105

HEALTH
& HUMAN SERVICES

T he mission of the Health & Human Services Facet is to promote and
facilitate programs that support good health and eliminate disparities
through community education and health advocacy. Our chapter began
participating in the Signature Program, Walk for Healthy Living in 1996. At that
time, the program was named, Project Walking Fete: Make Health A Habit. e HHS
Committee, along with several community organizations, formed the African
American AIDS Awareness Action Alliance (A6) in 2003. In 2018–2019, A6 was able
to host a series of six Health Literacy Forums on heart disease, kidney failure, mental
health, cancer, and HIV through a grant funded by the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
and the Oregon Health Authority. ese forums were held to introduce a Health
Literacy Card that can be used during doctor visits to reference when asking doctors
questions about your health. e Health Card provides a holistic approach to
preventative care. ese preventative steps address the issue of African American
patients not knowing their health status until the latter stages of their disease. e
forums were also used to share information about HIV and other diseases that
disproportionately impact African Americans and Blacks. Physicians, nurses, and other
health workers facilitated the forums.

106 PROGRAMS

W hile the bene ts of the walks
were to promote health and
family togetherness, proceeds
from the walks provided services for the
homeless and e National Links
nationwide community service projects.

PROGRAMS 107

T he Balm in Gilead planning meetings
began around 2004 at Allen Temple
Church. ese monthly meetings
were hosted by Rev. Dr. T. Allen Bethel,
Rev., Dr. Leroy Haynes, and Bishop Grace
Osborne at their churches respectively,
Maranatha Church of God, Allen Temple
CME, and Grace Covenant Fellowship
Church. ese pastors have been involved in
HIV education for many years. Each year,
Balm in Gilead events are planned the
second weekend in March that includes a
Saturday Community Lunch and Sunday
Worship Service.

108 PROGRAMS

109

T he Portland Chapter has partnered
with the American Red Cross,
Willamette Chapter since 2005.
Meetings are held each year to recruit
blood donors to the Annual Charles R.
Drew Blood Drive held the second
Saturday in June at the Red Cross.
Participants listen to an engaging panel
discussion featuring an individual or family
sharing their experience living with blood
diseases such as Sickle Cell Anemia.
Information tables are supported by e
Links, sororities, and fraternities. ere are
a number of dance routines led by the
Charles R. Drew Blood Drive Coordinator,
Charletta Malone.

110 PROGRAMS

Linda J. Harris, Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Kymberlee Crowell,
Carla Penn-Hopson, Rhonda Thomas

Elaine Hartzog, Kymberlee Crowell, Carla Penn-Hopson, Sylvia Welch, Johnnie Broadous, Linda J. Harris,
Linda J. Harris, Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Serena Ashley Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Johnnie Stokes

PROGRAMS 111

T he Linkages to Life Signature Program has been seniors establish healthy lifestyles and maintain brain health as
implemented in the chapter for decades. Each year, a they age. e PreServe Coalition holds community events that
Donor Sabbath Program is planned at a local church are primarily hosted by Oregon Health Sciences University
that includes an organ donor sharing his or her experience, (OHSU) health research and wellness experts. Each of the
providing evidence-based need for donors and distributing events include tasting a healthy soul food recipe. Events are
donor cards to interested participants. sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association—Oregon Chapter
Our chapter participated in the Walk for Healthy Living 75 and Layton Aging & Alzheimer’s Disease Center—OHSU.
Million Steps Challenge, by keeping a record of our steps each Link Yvonne introduces “Healthy Moments” at each chapter
month. At the end of 90 days each Link submitted their total meeting. Monthly Health Topics are presented each program
steps to Link Yvonne who then provided Western Area H&HS year with mental health being featured twice. Some of the
Chair, Link Sherril Rieux, with the total number of steps from guest speakers and topics were: Connecting Link Edward
active and alumnae members. Forms of exercise other than Ward, DDS Oral Care; Jackie Gethner HepC; Dr. Mark
walking could be converted into steps. Loveless HIV/AIDS; Judith Leahy from Oregon Health
Links Williams and Harris were at the table in 2004 when Authority Hep-C; and Heidi Carr, RN, MN from Emanuel
the PreServe Aging & Memory Coalition was conceived. Hospital African American Women and Heart Disease. Each
PreServe helps create pathways that empower African American presenter provided life-saving information to members.

112 PROGRAMS

Link Karin Edwards shared her story as a donor recipient at the Annual Donor Sabbath Program at Maranatha Church November 2018

PROGRAMS 113

114 PROGRAMS

AFRICAN AMERICAN AIDS

AWARENESS ACTION

ALLIANCE (A6)

W ith a Memorandum of Understanding from Black communities. rough innovative initiatives, targeted
Cascade AIDS Project, Links Myrna-Yvonne audiences, providing resources, erasing stigma, changing
Williams and Linda J. Harris met with community norms, and HIV testing, A6 seeks to engage and
representatives from the Oregon State Health Department and empower community members. A6 has led community-level
Multnomah County in the fall of 2003 and planned the rst activities to provide education and testing services in honor of
HIV/AIDS Summit that was held at Portland Community HIV/AIDS observance days.
College, Cascade Campus in May 2004. e African A6 has worked with youth and adult peer educators to
American AIDS Awareness Action Alliance (A6) was formed in develop strategies that increase awareness and provide training
2003 by Links Williams and Harris in addition to and skill building activities to the community, and supports
representatives from Cascade AIDS Project, Brother to local faith-based initiatives such as the annual Balm in Gilead
Brother, and Multnomah County. A6 has become a coalition Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.
of state and local health departments, community-based Over the years, A6 has won many Links National and Area
organizations, and community members that have partnered awards for its sustainability, transformational programming
collectively to increase awareness of the impact of the HIV/ and community impact and has been predictable for delivering
AIDS disparity among the Portland African American and engaging, informative, entertaining and life-saving events.

PROGRAMS 115

OBSERVANCE DAYS

February 7

NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

March 10

NATIONAL WOMEN AND GIRLS HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

April 10

NATIONAL YOUTH HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

June 27

NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY

September 18

NATIONAL HIV/AIDS AND AGING AWARENESS DAY

December 1

WORLD AIDS DAY

116 PROGRAMS

PROGRAMS 117

118

F rom the beginning with Decem Plus, the group of women enjoyed their social
gatherings. Chapter meetings were held in members’ homes, in hotels, and at
universities. For many years it was the responsibility of the hostess to incur the
cost of the monthly chapter meeting luncheons. Later, members paid for their lunch
and the hostess paid for beverages and breakfast. Connecting Links and Heir-O-Links
joined gatherings on special occasions.
Gatherings serve to foster sisterhood and cultivate friendships. Over the years, in
celebrating sisterhood, we have been assigned to PODS that involved planning fun
activities together and getting to know each other better. One POD met at a pottery
studio and created some very impressive ceramic ware. Another POD participated in
the television show, Wheel of Fortune at the Portland Convention Center. We
appreciate our Link sisters, value them and embrace their friendships. Our chapter has
been recognized for activities during Friendship Month.

119

120 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 121

Portland and Seattle Links get-together after luncheon at the home of Link Carmen Walker

122 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Top: Bernadette and Ulysses Plummer, Carmen and Wilson Walker, Ellen T. Law
Bottom: Marguerite and Charles Williams, Emma and Booker Lewis, Jessie Johnson

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 123

124 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 125

126

On to Seattle for luncheon with Seattle Chapter July 1965

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 127

A get-together to discuss the Ebony Fashion Show
Home of Link Kay Bogle August 1969

128 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Picnic at Jantzen Beach Park August 1969
Carmen Walker, Mildred Reynolds, Jessie Johnson, Annetta Brown, Geraldine McConnell, Clementyne T. Guy

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 129

Maria Jackson, Connecting Link John Jackson Elaine Hartzog, Pat Walker, Barbara Leonard

Pat Walker, Connecting Link James Walker Barbara Leonard, Sylvia Welch

130 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Carla Penn-Hopson, Kimberly Matier, Denise Smith Carla Penn-Hopson, Serena Ashley

Serena Ashley, Connecting Link André Ashley Carla Penn-Hopson, Maria Jackson, Johnnie Broadous,
Betty Cabine, Kymberlee Crowell

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 131

Juli Dials (sister of René DuBoise), Maria Jackson, René DuBoise, Kymberlee Crowell
POD event at a ceramics studio

132 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Carla Penn-Hopson, Barbara Ward
POD event at a ceramics studio

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 133

Johnnie Stokes, Elaine Hartzog, Estella Brame, Linda J. Harris Elaine Hartzog, Jacquelyn N. Brown, Guest, Kymberlee Crowell
Wheel of Fortune TV program POD Event

Clockwise: Sylvia Welch, Carla Penn-Hopson, Betty Cabine, Johnnie Marian Gilmore, Elaine Hartzog, Johnnie Broadous, Johnnie Stokes,
Stokes, Dorothy Baker (mother of Sylvia Welch), René DuBoise Patricia Walker, Geneva Jones (seated) Active Alumnae Members

134 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Kelly Michael, Kymberlee Crowell, Carla Penn-Hopson Natalie Hooper, Carla Penn-Hopson

Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Linda J. Harris Carla Penn-Hopson, Johnnie Stokes, Kymberlee Crowell,
Evie Crowell, Sylvia Welch, Johnnie Broadous, Barbara Ward

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 135

136

Painting party at the home of Carla Penn-Hopson
Standing: Maria Jackson, Pat Walker, Stephanie Montgomery, Rhonda Thomas, Barbara Thoms, Yvonne, Williams, Guest Painter, Ruth Brinkley,
Serena Ashley, Kymberlee Crowell, Guest Painter, Carla Penn-Hopson, Linda J. Harris Jocelynne McAdory; Kneeling: Kelly Michael, Natalie Hooper

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 137

138 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

CELEBRATIONS

In 2017, the Portland Chapter held an Alumnae Honoree Luncheon at the
Riverside Golf & Country Club to celebrate and honor our 11 alumnae
members. Although these members maintained alumnae status, all but four chose
to remain active by attending chapter meetings and serving on committees.

HONOREE AND INDUCTION YEAR

Rosemary Anderson 1981
Johnnie Broadous 2004
Jacquelyn N. Brown 1998
Jacquelyn W. Brown 1973
Marlene Fuller 1986
Marian Gilmore 1998
Elaine Hartzog 1983
Geneva Jones 1976
Rochelle McElroy 1978
Johnnie Stokes 1976
Patricia Walker 1991

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 139

Mildred Reynolds, June Brown, Heloise Hill (seated)

140 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Marguerite Williams, Fannie Stills Chatman

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 141

Jessie Johnson, Annetta Brown, and Bernadette Plummer prepare for a presentation

142 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Bernadette Plummer presents a check to a recipient with Clementyne T. Guy

SOCIAL AFFAIRS 143

June Brown hands Mayor Strunck a check as Bernadette Plummer looks on
First Ebony Fashion Fair 1960

144

F rom its inception, the Portland Chapter of e Links Incorporated made
donations to numerous groups, agencies, and organizations. Proceeds have
bene tted the NAACP, Urban League, YWCA, St. Vincent DePaul Day Care
Center, Shen Ryan Memorial Dance Scholarship at Jefferson High School, Volunteers
of America Day Care Nursery, the United Negro College Fund, Martin Luther King,
Jr. Scholarship Fund, Center for Community Mental Health, United Negro College
Fund, e Albina Ministerial Alliance, North Portland Nurse Practitioner
Community Health Center, e Links Educational Scholarship Fund, and the
American Cancer Society in memory of Link members Annetta T. Brown, Jessie M.
Johnson, Brazola Reddick, Hattie Gaskin, and Alda Ruth Monroe.

145

146 GALAS

GALAS 147

148