Portland Chapter of The Links History Book

F undraising galas began in 1960 with the Ebony Fashion Fair. e Ebony
Fashion Fair was highly anticipated by the Portland community and
welcomed 700 to 1000 patrons. e Portland Chapter was the rst chapter in
the Western Area to sponsor the Ebony Fashion Fair. Link Jacquelyn W. Brown was
the Fashion Fair Chair for many years. During those years, the Chair’s picture was
featured in EBONY Magazine. Link Johnnie Broadous was the Chair for the last ve
years of the fundraiser. As an incentive to sell Ebony Fashion Fair tickets, the highest
ticket seller was presented with prizes. Link Geneva Jones held the title of the Highest
Ticket Seller for 24 years. Link Geneva continued to sell tickets even when her
membership status changed to Alumna. In 2001, Link Grace Shephard was the
Highest Ticket Seller and Link Barbara Leonard achieved this designation in 2004.
Early Sponsors of the Ebony Fashion Fair Galas were American Airlines, More
Cigarettes, Ford Motor Company, Oster, and Fashion Fair. In later years, some
sponsors were Nordstrom, Portland Oregon Visitors Association, Providence Health
Services, and Allied Insurance.

GALAS 149

O ne feature of the Ebony Fashion Fair was a reception by American Airlines.
Door prizes were often First Place: a trip for two to any of the contiguous
48 states on American Airlines/American Eagle, Second Place: a 2000
Lincoln from Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company, ird Place: Ebony
Fashion Fair Cosmetics, Fourth Place: a set of six compact discs from KKJZ Radio
Station, Fifth Place: a mystery gift from Meier & Frank Department Store. Ebony
Fashion Fair female models had to be 5'9" or taller without shoes, dress size 6–10, full-
gure dress size 18–20. Male models had to be 6'2"–6'4" without shoes, suit size 44–
48. e only requirement was that models be free to travel, be well-groomed, and have
a great personality.

150 GALAS

151

152

EARLY YEARS OF THE
FASHION FAIR

1960 1977

SYMPHONY IN FASHIONS THE CARE-FREE LIFE

1968 1978

FASHION FREEDOM ’68 THE BODY ATTITUDE

1969 1979

THE FLAPPER RETURNS — WITH SOUL BACK TO GLAMOR

1971 1980

W H AT ’ S G O I N ’ O N ? COLOR EXPLOSION

1973 1981

THE MOOD OF LUXURY THE FREE SPIRIT

1976 1982

THE NATURAL FEELING THE LOOK OF ELEGANCE

GALAS 153

T he Ebony Fashion Fair was the forum for the distribution of Links awards
and scholarships to students and businesses. From 1994–2009, high school
seniors had been awarded over $104,000 in scholarships. In 1994, e Links
began to list the names of scholarship recipients in their Ebony Fashion Fair program
books. In 2001, photos of scholarship students also appeared in the program books.
Since 1994, scholarships have been awarded each year except in 2011. In 1989, 1990,
and 1991 Academic Scholarships were awarded to eight Debutantes. From 1992 to
the present, scholarships have been named in honor of Links, Connecting Links, or
family members of Links.

154 GALAS

155

A rts Scholarships were awarded in 1993, 1994, and 1995 and again in 2000.
For the majority of the 2000 decade, an Arts Scholarship recipient has been
identi ed. A Presidential Scholarship was awarded in 2006 during
President Betty Cabine’s administration to a Valedictorian. Since 2006, there have
been many Valedictorians to receive our scholarships. e Portland Chapter awarded
the Portland Trail Blazer Scholarship to community members in honor of outstanding
individuals who inspired, sacri ced, set the bar, changed the world, and gracefully led
by example. By 2001 seven individuals had received this award.

156 GALAS

157

158

W hen the Fashion Fair ended in 2009, galas that followed were Sneakers
Ball, Diamonds & Denim, and Phantom Phantasy Masquerade Ball.
Sponsors of galas held from 2010–2021 have been B and V Philanthropy,
Kaiser Permanente, Travel Portland, e Skanner, Unitus, Umpqua Bank, Alaska
Airlines, Moda, NW Natural, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Adidas, Portland
Community College, Antonio Harris Photography, Maryhill Winery, Wells Fargo
Bank, Warner Paci c University, and the Candy Basket. In addition to sponsors, our
chapter has enjoyed the tremendous demonstration of support from the community
over the years.
ough Clutch the Future, introduced by Link Carla Penn-Hopson, was not a gala,
it proved to be an effective fundraiser. Women were invited to bring their gently worn
or new purses to sell. Clutch the Future events were always fun and resulted in women
nding just the right handbags they needed to accessorize their wardrobes.

GALAS 159

Sneakers Ball 2010

160 GALAS

Diamonds and Denim 2012

GALAS 161

Clutch the Future 2017

162 GALAS

Phantom Phantasy 2019

GALAS 163

164

O ur 10th anniversary was celebrated at the Cosmopolitan Hotel on Grand
Street in 1967. We celebrated our 25th Anniversary by presenting an
exhibit and pictorial display at the Firehouse Cultural Center in 1982.
e 30th Anniversary was celebrated on Founders’ Day at the University of Portland.
Portland Chapter history was presented in an exhibit in book form, November 14,
1998. e 40th Anniversary Celebration was held at the Doubletree Inn, Jantzen
Beach, on April 17, 1998. e National eme covering this period, beginning in
1990 was, Cherishing the Past, Cultivating the Present, Creating the Future. Our
National President was Marion Sutherland, Seattle Chapter. e Links celebrated the
50th Anniversary at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Portland, November 3, 2007
honoring Charter Members Fannie Stills Chatman and Carmen P. Walker. e 60th
Anniversary was celebrated at the Riverside Golf Club on November 5, 2017. We were
joined by Western Area Director, Link Roxann omas Chargois, and Multnomah
County Commissioner, Loretta Smith.

165

Annetta Brown, June Brown, Carmen Walker, Jewell Johns, Fannie Stills Chatman

166 ANNIVERSARIES

Mildred Reynolds, Kathryn Bogle, Jessie Johnson, Jennie Scales, Geraldine Christian

ANNIVERSARIES 167

168 ANNIVERSARIES

ANNIVERSARIES 169

170 ANNIVERSARIES

Back Row: Pat Walker, Barbara Ward, Natalie Hooper, Maria Jackson, Yvonne Williams, Carla Penn-Hopson, Jocelynne McAdory, Estella Brame,
Jacquelyn N. Brown, Marian Gilmore, Sylvia Welch, Adriel Person, René DuBoise, Middle Row: Stephanie Montgomery, Johnnie Stokes
Seated: Kelly Michael, Loretta Smith, Kymberlee Crowell, Serena Ashley, Roxann Chargois, Barbara Thoms

ANNIVERSARIES 171

Ninth Western Area Conference April 28–29, 1962, Sheraton-Portland Hotel
Standing: Ursula Murrell, President, Los Angeles Chapter; Esther Nelson, Western Area Chair, Denver, CO
Seated: Bernadette Plummer, President Portland Chapter; Gertrude Thomas, National Financial Secretary, Long Island, NY

172

A s part of e Links governance structure, Area Conferences are held to
conduct business in odd years when the Links National Assembly is not in
session. During Conferences, the election of officers is held, reports on
operations are given, and workshops on skill development and training of chapter
members and officers are provided. Conferences also serve to highlight community
service, showcase best practices in programming and recognize excellence in
programming. Each conference promotes the theme that has been adopted by the
Western Area Director. Program, purpose, and direction are de ned at these meetings.
Portland has hosted Western Area Conferences in 1962 and 2021. Locations are
determined alphabetically by the chapter’s charter date, however, if a chapter cannot
host the conference, the next chapter listed on the schedule is selected. e Western
Area Director works with the chapter presidents regarding this decision.

173

Ninth Western Area Conference
Theme Girl, Heir-O-Link Berna Dean Plummer

and Conference Chairman, Jessie Johnson
proudly display the theme banners

174 CONFERENCES

Western Area Conference circa 1960s

CONFERENCES 175

13th Western Area Conference 1966 Palo Alto, CA Jessie Johnson Delegate

176 CONFERENCES

Western Area Conference 1967

CONFERENCES 177

178 CONFERENCES

CONFERENCES 179

The Links Western Area Conference in Olympia, WA
Hosted by Tacoma (WA) Chapter

180 CONFERENCES

The Links Western Area Conference in Olympia, WA
Hosted by Tacoma (WA) Chapter

CONFERENCES 181

Johnnie Stokes Delegate

182 CONFERENCES

Myrna-Yvonne Williams, Host Link, Rosemary Anderson, Geneva Jones

CONFERENCES 183

Johnnie Stokes
Addie Jean Haynes
Clementyne T. Guy

184 CONFERENCES

Elaine Hartzog looking stylish at the 39th Western Area Conference 2009

CONFERENCES 185

O n June 1–5, 2021 the Portland Chapter hosted the 45th Western Area
Conference, Footprints to the Future: A Whole New World under the
leadership of Western Area Director Lorna Hankins, Due to the COVID-19
Global Pandemic, the conference was held virtually. With members being able to
attend from the comfort of their homes and the 1-in-5 attendance requirement
guaranteed, we anticipated a high turnout. e numbers far exceeded our
expectations. A total of 1728 Links were registered for the conference. Link Serena
Ashley, Immediate Past President, served as Honorary Conference Chair. Registrants
received a leopard print pouch containing a pair of socks, an eye mask for sleeping,
and a headband. Our chapter was charged with planning the Host Gala, Civic
Honoree Awards Program, Community Service Project, and sending souvenir gifts to
Very Special People. After months of planning and countless meetings, our small but
mighty chapter created an exciting event.

186 CONFERENCES

T he Host Chapter Gala was an enjoyable event. Mistress of Ceremonies,
Tra'Renee Chambers, kicked off the Gala while DJ Michael Morris kept the
party going with lively music. Members played bingo, won money at the
Casino, and listened to Wine Sommelier, Chevonne Ball. Stokely, the former lead
singer of Mint Condition, made it a memorable evening. e Community Service
Project, led by Miaya Stevenson-Griffin, NTS Chair, coordinated the funding of a
modular unit for a homeless shelter on NW Glisan and Broadway in Portland, OR.
e homeless project was funded by many Western Area Links Chapters. Forty-six
boxes of hygiene supplies gift wrapped by the Tacoma (WA) Chapter and transported
to Portland were delivered to homeless shelters.

CONFERENCES 187

F ive members of the community received Civic Awards for their distinguished
service to the community in each of e Links facets: Renee Anderson, STY;
Kenneth Berry, e Arts; Senator Lew Frederick, National Trends &Services;
Adrienne Livingstone, International Trends & Services; and Dr. Nathalie Johnson,
Health & Human Services. In addition to their recognition during the conference,
they received an award packet that contained their plaque, an award certi cate, and a
Nike gift card. Four Very Special People (VSP)—National President, National Vice
President, Western Area Director, and Western Area Vice Director—received
decorative gift boxes with their name engraved and a bottle of wine. Eighteen other
VSPs received a bottle of wine. Links who signed up to be a Portland Rose received
extra perks. e Links that registered early were gifted with a commemorative
champagne ute. We are grateful for the support we received from local chapters
Anchorage, Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Tri-Cities.

188 CONFERENCES

45th WESTERN AREA
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES

CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS PUBLICITY COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

Serena Ashley Estella Brame, Chair Harriet Adair
Natalie Hooper Linda J. Harris Marian Gilmore
Jocelynne McAdory Maria Jackson Linda J. Harris
Kimberly Matier Carol Johnson Elaine Hartzog
Kelly Michael Stephanie Montgomery Kymberly Horner
Carla Penn-Hopson Myrna-Yvonne Williams Terry Hill McCray
Miaya Stevenson-Griffin Adriel Person
Sylvia Welch SOUVENIRS Miaya Stevenson-Griffin, Chair
Rhonda omas
SPONSORSHIP Estella Brame Barbara oms
Natalie Hooper Myrna-Yvonne Williams
Carla Penn-Hopson, Chair Stephanie Montgomery
Margie Stanton Patricia Walker HOST CHAPTER GALA
Rosemarie ompson Barbara Ward
Serena Wesley Sylvia Welch, Chair Rochelle Hunter-James
Kimberly Ireland
FINANCE CIVIC HONOREES Maria Jackson
Jocelynne McAdory, Co-Chair
Serena Ashley Harriet Adair Kimberly Matier, Co-Chair
Karin Edwards Linda Harris, Chair Kizmet Mills
Kelly Michael, Chair Karin Edwards Carla Penn-Hopson
Rhonda omas
Serena Wesley

CONFERENCES 189

190

T he Portland Chapter has amassed an impressive number of awards in a
variety of categories from National, the Western Area, and the Portland
community. e chapter has also received recognition in the form of letters,
certi cates, and proclamations. National and the Western Area have awarded our
chapter for outstanding programming and has given awards to Services to Youth, and
Health & Human Services Facets. Certi cates of Appreciation and Participation from
National, Western Area, and e Links Foundation have been presented to e Arts
Facet. Other certi cates recognized were for an art contest, community service,
Friendship Month activities, Strategic Plan completion, and Code of Ethics &
Standards Compliance. e community awards we have received re ect our service
work with other nonpro ts, Portland Public Schools, churches, Multnomah County,
and the State of Oregon.

191

192 AWARDS

AWARDS 193

NATIONAL &
AREA AWARDS

AWARD AWARDED FOR CONFERENCE

Certi cate of Service National Arts Program, Making History While Western Area 1987
Providing Hope
Meritorious Service Award Western Area 2003
Meritorious Service Award Community Service, Mary Overstreet Smith Western Area 2007
Certi cate of Appreciation Western Area 2007
Certi cate of Appreciation Community Service, Kevin Dean Fuller National Assembly 2008

Certi cate of Appreciation National Friendship Month Western Area 2009
Certi cate of Appreciation National Assembly 2010
Project Walking Fete: Make Health a Habit!
Stepping Out Poster Art Contest

Signature Arts Program: Classics rough the Ages

Signature Arts Program: Classics rough the Ages

194 AWARDS

AWARD AWARDED FOR CONFERENCE

Certi cate of Appreciation National Friendship Month National Assembly 2011
Certi cate of Compliance Code of Ethics and Standards Western Area 2011
Certi cate of Completion Chapter Strategic Plan Western Area 2011
Certi cate of Participation Signature Arts Program: Classics rough the Ages Western Area 2013
Certi cate of Appreciation Continued Dedication as a Vision 2020 Chapter National Assembly 2020
Ambassador, e Links Foundation, Inc.
Certi cate of Appreciation National Friendship Month Western Area 2021

AWARDS 195

CHAPTER AWARDS

AWARD AWARDED FOR CONFERENCE

Achievement Award National Trends and Services 37th Western Area Conference 2005
African American Community HIV/AIDS
Certi cate of Excellence for Outstanding National Trends and Services Symposium 2005
Programming 38th Western Area Conference 2007
38th Western Area Conference 2007
Meritorious Community Service Adult Award Portland (OR) Chapter
39th Western Area Conference 2009
Promising Practices Award for African American Portland (OR) Chapter 39th Western Area Conference 2009
AIDS Awareness Action Alliance National Assembly 2010
National Assembly 2010
Best Practices Award Services to Youth National Assembly 2010
40th Western Area Conference 2011
Legacy in Health Linkage Award Health and Human Services 40th Western Area Conference 2011

Outstanding Programming in Legacy Award Health and Human Services 41st Western Area Conference 2013

Best Practices Program Award Health and Human Services

Legacy Award Portland (OR) Chapter

Excellence Award Services to Youth

Legacy Award Health and Human Services, African American
AIDS Awareness Action Alliance

Legacy Galaxy Award Health and Human Services, African American
AIDS Awareness Action Alliance

196 AWARDS

AWARD AWARDED FOR CONFERENCE

Programming Excellence Health and Human Services 42nd Western Area Conference 2015
Health and Human Services, African American 42nd Western Area Conference 2015
Programming Excellence—2nd Place AIDS Awareness Action Alliance 42nd Western Area Conference 2015
Health and Human Services National Assembly 2016
Legacy Award Health and Human Services, African American 43rd Western Area Conference 2017
AIDS Awareness Action Alliance Women's History Month 2018
3rd Place Award Health and Human Services, African American 44th Western Area Conference 2019
AIDS Awareness Action Alliance
Qualities of Sustainable and Transformational Portland (OR) Chapter National Assembly 2020
Programming—2nd Place
Health and Human Services 45th Western Area Conference 2021
Proclamation by the Board of County
Commissioners, Multnomah County Health and Human Services

e African American AIDS Awareness Action Health and Human Services
Alliance (A6), For Sustainable and
Transformational Programming

e African American AIDS Awareness Action
Alliance (A6)—1st Place National Program
Award 2018–2020

Emerald Award for Sustainable and
Transformational Programs—2nd Place

AWARDS 197

198 AWARDS