| The Links, Incorporated | |
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| Founding Location: | Philadelphia |
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| Type: | Social and service organization |
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| Headquarters: | Washington, D.C. |
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| Membership: | 16,000 |
| Membership Year: | 2022 |
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The Links is an American, invitation-only, social and service organization of prominent black women in the United States. Founded in 1946, it is the largest nationwide organization of black women in the United States. Members include Kamala Harris, Marian Wright Edelman, and the late Betty Shabazz.
As of 2021, there were 16,000 members in nearly 300 chapters. The organization was founded in Philadelphia, but since 2022, it is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The Links, Incorporated, a nonprofit corporation,[1] was founded in 1946 in Philadelphia by seven prominent black women.[2] [3] Sarah Strickland Scott and Margaret Roselle Hawkins[4] recruited Frances Atkinson, Katie Green, Marion Minton, Lillian Stanford, Myrtle Manigault Stratton, Lillian Wall and Dorothy Wright. All of the women were members of prominent black professional families of Philadelphia; six were the wives of physicians and the seventh the wife of a bank president. All had bachelor's or master's degrees from elite universities, and had been active in other elite black social organizations. These organisations included Jack and Jill and Alpha Kappa Alpha as well as other prominent organizations like the N.A.A.C.P., the League of Women Voters, and the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company. Most were members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The group's name was suggested by Wall as a symbol of enduring friendship.[5]
Other cities soon created chapters. By 1949 there were ten chapters. By 1952 there were fifty-six. In 2008 there were approximately 12,000 members in 273 chapters in 42 states[6] Greater Detroit had four chapters in 2021.[7]
Over the decades, the group transformed itself from "a group of women married to influential men, to a group of women who became influential themselves", according to one member. The evolution caused "clear conflict between the old guard and the new guard", according to another.
As of 2021, there were 16,000 members in 292 chapters. In, 1999 each chapter membership was limited to no more than 55 women. The headquarters has been located in Washington, D.C., since at least 1985.[8]
As of 2024, the organization has had eighteen national presidents.[9]
Women interested in joining any of the local chapters must be nominated by a current member; if a chapter has 55 members, no more may be accepted until one leaves. Admission is "extremely competitive", according to Lawrence Otis Graham, author of Our Kind of People (1999). One member of a Washington, D.C. chapter describes having spent "twelve years of strategizing, party-giving, and brownnosing to get into this group." Most women do not get into Links until they are in their 40s or older, and most remain members until they die.
Links has been criticized for its exclusivity; one member noted that while a woman could be nominated by any other member, for practical intents those admitted are "usually those who know at least half of the chapter's membership". Social, professional or economic prominence within a city's black population also may help get a candidate admitted, as members with such backgrounds help add to the chapter's prestige.
The organization requires each member to accumulate many volunteer hours. The organization raises funds for a variety of charities and causes such as the United Negro College Fund and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The national core focuses include education, health, youth services, art, domestic legislation and international welfare.
Chapters typically also hold multiple social events for a city's black elites, such as debutante cotillions, fashion shows, gala fund-raisers, balls, luncheons and formal parties.
According to Graham, The Links is the "most elite organization" for prominent American black women, and is both the largest and the most influential. Membership in the organization, he writes, signals to other prominent blacks that "your social background, lifestyle, physical appearance, and family's academic and professional accomplishments passed muster".
Los Angeles PBS station KCET called The Links "the most prominent" of the black women's clubs.[10] Rolling Stone called it "one of the most influential and prestigious".[11]
John Lewis called The Links a “distinguished organization of outstanding community service and influence”.
Members include philanthropists, college presidents, politicians, activists, judges, doctors, bankers, lawyers, executives, educators, and the wives of well-known public figures.[12] Notable members include: