| Cleveland (OH) Chapter |
OUR HISTORY
On November 9, 1946, Margaret Rosell Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott, two young Philadelphia visionaries, co-founded The Links, Incorporated. They invited seven of their friends to join them in organizing a new type of inter-city club. The two women envisioned an organization that would respond to the needs and aspirations of Black women in ways that existing clubs did not. It was their intent that the club would have a threefold aim — civic, educational, and cultural.
Margaret Rosell Hawkins(Co-Founder) |
Sarah Strickland Scott(Co-Founder) |
CLEVELAND (OH) CHAPTER
The Cleveland Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was chartered in 1950, by fifteen African American women, all friends, who were the wives of Cleveland's most prominent Black men. These women came together not only in friendship, but a commitment to provide service to their community through the support of local educational, cultural, social, and civic activities, and often raising funds for charitable causes. In the almost seven decades since its inception, The Cleveland Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has significantly impacted Northeastern Ohio community with its programs, volunteerism and its member dedication to improving the quality of life for those of African American descent.
The Cleveland (OH) Chapter is part of the Central Area of the Links, Incorporated, one of four national Areas and comprised of 72 chapters in 17 states. Several chapter members have served in various Regional and National Level positions, and alumna member Margot James Copeland led the Central Area as Regional Director in 1999-2003 and served as the 15th National President of The Links, Incorporated in 2010-2014.
Although membership in Links is by invitation only, the organization serves its members as much as it serves the larger community. Above all else, Cleveland women who made up the local chapter are committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
Rose West Garvin Frances Gray Clara Christopher Melbahu Mason Genevieve Myers | Bernice McAllister Juanita Evans Zelma Watson George Dorothy Gillespie | Fern Glenn Marigeorge Myers Lauretta Conners White Mildred Williams Dorothy West Ames |
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
1950-1952 Rose West Garvin 1952-1953 Laurette Conners White 1953-1956 Bernice McAllister 1957-1959 Dorothy Pegg 1959-1961 Elizabeth Stokien 1961-1963 Marilyn Murrell Vance 1963-1965 Beverly Sinkford Mason 1965-1968 Maryette Fuster 1969-1970 Adrienne Lash Jones 1970-1972 Audrey Kelker 1973-1974 Beatrice Jordain Richie 1975-1976 Janet Wilkerson 1977-1978 Juanita Storey 1979-1980 Frances King 1981-1982 Leatrice Madison 1983-1984 Christina Fears Branche | 1985-1986 Sara Wallace
1987-1988 Beverly Sinkford Mason 1989-1991 Margot James Copeland 1991-1993 Emma Mason 1993-1996 Dianne B. Derrick 1997-1999 Lynn Toler 1999-2003 Sonali Bustamante Wilson 2003-2007 Jennifer Coleman Fluker 2007-2009 Sadie Winlock 2009-2011 Delores Groves 2011-2014 Gigi Kates 2014-2016 Lolita "Lolly" McDavid 2016-2018 Amy Stephens 2018-2023 Renee Richard 2023-present Richelle A. McCoy |
CURRENT LEADERSHIP
Richelle A. McCoy PRESIDENT |
Cynthia Moore-Hardy VICE PRESIDENT |
Darnella Robertson TREASURER |
Michele Heath RECORDING SECRETARY |
Terri Eason FINANCIAL SECRETARY |
Anne Richie CORRESPONDING SECRETARY |
Vanessa Whiting CHAPLAIN |
Renée Richard PARLIAMENTARIAN |
FACET CHAIRS
PROGRAM CHAIR
Helen Field-Forbes
SERVICES TO YOUTH
Kim Dashield-Hill (Chair)
Shelly Thompson (Co-Chair)
ARTS
Amanda King (Chair)
Dawn Bell-Richardson (Co-Chair)
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Joi Copeland (Chair)
Sandra Fleming-Brooks (Co-Chair)
NATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
Vivian Davis (Chair)
Michele Barksdale (Co-Chair)
INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
Kelem Cook (Chair)
Nancy Dillard (Co-Chair)
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