Our Legacy
On November 9, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, two friends invited seven of their other friends to discuss forming a new type of club to respond to the needs of African Americans in the aftermath of World War II. There were other clubs and sororities in existence, but the two women envisioned a service-oriented organization that would have a three-fold purpose — to promote civic, educational and cultural concerns — and to lead African American women in postwar America. They wanted to respond to the concerns of civil rights and racial injustices. These women set in motion an irreversible series of events.
The founding meeting launched what is now The Links, Incorporated, an international women’s service organization. The group of nine friends encouraged their friends in other parts of the country to “link in friendship” and form clubs to give service and use their resources to form a chain of strength to improve the quality of life and provide hope for disadvantaged African Americans.
Through the years, the organization has expanded and refined its missions and membership, endured social and racial upheavals and today is an organization of over 275 chapters with a diverse membership that uses its considerable resources to improve the quality of life for others.
The Northern Indiana Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was organized in Gary, Indiana by the late Inez Brewer and chartered on November 1, 1958. There were seven members from Gary; two from South Bend, three from Michigan City, and two from East Chicago. The current charter encompasses Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties in Indiana.
Over the past 60 years, the Northern Indiana Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has embarked on programs that address education, cultural enrichment, health, wellness and civic involvement. Current chapter members are involved in projects that improve social, education and employment barriers unique to African American youth. The chapter also supports programs sponsored by The Links’ national organization, which address five facets: The Arts, Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services.
Following the facets set forth by the national organization, the Northern Indiana (IN) Chapter has been engaged in a weekly retreat for middle-school girls stressing confidence and achievement.
Currently, the Chapter partners with the Boy Scouts of America to assist young people in local Elementary and Middle schools grow in character and skills as they explore their curiosity about STEM fields. It is hoped that their growing knowledge will translate into STEM-related careers that are so crucial to our country’s future economy.
Chapter members have cultivated a positive self-image program for high school girls exclusively around race and ethnicity through its International Trends facet. Students were immersed in an African culture curriculum which focused on foods and attire. The Chapter has donated financial resources to support the needs in Puerto Rico and Haiti.
The Northern Indiana (IN) Chapter supports cancer awareness and screening by sponsoring rides to mammogram clinics in the area. Most recently, members are wearing t-shirts to encourage voting in the upcoming election. Members also produced a “Get Out the Vote” video, which has been seen by over 900 viewers. The group supports local agencies and community groups with donations to assist in the purchase of school supplies for a School Supply Give-Away. Most importantly, members volunteer their time to help give away school supplies to thousands of children headed back to school. With these successful programs and dedication of members we hope to continue the Northern Indiana Chapter of The Links, Incorporated for another 60 years.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Inez Brewer - Organizer - Gary
Annie Ruth Williams - Gary
Helen Wiley - Gary
Carolyn Moore - Gary
Martha Lovell - Gary
Fannie Wilson - Gary
Geneva Murray - Gary
Jean Washington - Gary
Elizabeth Allen - South Bend
Ellen Miller - South Bend
Blanche Crosthwait - Michigan City
Grace Jones - Michigan City
Geneva Wesley - Michigan City
Virginia Boyd - East Chicago
Anne Broomes - East Chicago
The Northern Indiana (IN) Chapter Presidents Tree designed by member Irene King was displayed at the 60th Anniversary Celebration. A request for a replica of this tree will be redesigned and on display at the The Links, Incorporated national office. In its place will be images of Past National Presidents and the current National President Kimberly Jeffries Leonard.
Past Presidents of the Northern Indiana Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
1958 - 62 Inez Brewer || 1962 - 64 Martha Lovell || 1964 - 68 Fannie Wilson || 1968 - 72 Genevieve Gray || 1972 - 76 Geneva Wesley || 1976 - 80 Alma Minton || 1980 - 84 Constance Winfrey || 1984 - 88 Claire Lynn Chube || 1988 - 92 Fannie Wilson || 1992 - 94 Cornelia Brown || 1994 - 96 Fredricka Davidson || 1996 - 98 Constance Winfrey || 1998 - 02 Marianita Porterfield || 2002 - 04 Kathryn Brantley || 2004 - 08 Marsha Sullivan || 2008 - 10 Danita Johnson Hughes || 2010 - 12 Charice White || 2012 - 16 Marianita Porterfield || 2016 - 18 Debra Powers || 2018 -22 present Alesia Y. Pritchett
2022-24 CHAPTER OFFICERS
President: LaVada Taylor, PhD
1st Vice President: Che King
2nd Vice President: Cheryl Pruitt, EdD
Recording Secretary: Janet Seabrook-Izah, MD
Corresponding Secretary: Cloteal LaBroi, JD
Financial Secretary: Jalilah Muhammed Dukes, PhD
Treasurer: Crystal Melton
Parliamentarian: Kathryn Brantley