Honoring and recognizing the members of the Links, Incorporated’s Philadelphia Chapter and Delaware Valley Chapter.
WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated was founded in 1946 by co-founders Sara Strickland Scott and Margaret Hawkins of Philadelphia, who established a service-oriented women’s organization. What began as nine women has now grown to over 16,000 members in nearly 292 chapters across 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom; and
WHEREAS, The Links, Inc. stands as one of the nation’s oldest and largest women-oriented volunteer service organizations, dedicated to enriching and preserving the cultural and economic well-being of African Americans and others of African descent; and
WHEREAS, The core values of The Links, Inc. encompass Friendship, Integrity, Honesty, Service, Commitment, Family Relationships, Courage, Respect for Self and Others, Legacy, Confidentiality, Responsibility, and Accountability; and
WHEREAS, The members of The Links, Inc. collectively contribute over 950,000 hours of community service each year, thereby enhancing their communities and contributing to the nation’s welfare. The organization has received accolades from the UN Association of New York and the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation for its exceptional programs; and
WHEREAS, The Links Foundation, Incorporated has contributed more than $27 million to charitable causes since its founding. In 2022, The Links Foundation, Incorporated named its sixth $1 million grantee - the Obama Presidential Center. Other million-dollar grantees include the United Negro College Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., the National Civil Rights Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Culture and History, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and
WHEREAS, The Links, Inc. offers outstanding programming across five key areas: Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services, employing strategies such as public education, economic development, and public policy initiatives; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Chapter, as the Founding Chapter of The Links, Inc., is committed to excellence in service to the Philadelphia community. The Philadelphia Chapter of The Links was founded on November 9, 1946, by co-founders Margaret Rosell Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott. These women leveraged their network and resources to assemble a dynamic team of seven other Links that constituted what was originally referred to as "The Philadelphia Club.” Over three decades ago, it adopted the M. Hall Stanton School, an initiative supported by then Mayor Wilson Goode, and has since engaged in numerous impactful programs; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Chapter proudly counts among its members Velma W. Goode, the first African American First Lady of Philadelphia, who has been a dedicated member for 35 years. She established the Sarah Scott Academic Scholarship to benefit young women and has held various leadership roles within the Chapter; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Chapter actively supports various initiatives, including a partnership with Paul Robeson High School for Human Services, collaboration with the Salvation Army to provide assistance to women escaping human trafficking, and awarding scholarships in honor of the Founders, along with support for HBCUs; and
WHEREAS, The Delaware Valley Chapter of The Links, Inc. was chartered on November 21, 1964, with the support of the Philadelphia Chapter, and has since expanded its outreach to underserved communities in the Greater Philadelphia area. Its initiatives include voter education drives, anti-bullying programs, art workshops, and health screenings. The Chapter also provides support to HBCUs, such as Cheyney University and Lincoln University; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and recognizes the members of the Links, Incorporated’s Philadelphia Chapter and Delaware Valley Chapter.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The Links, Incorporated’s Philadelphia Chapter and Delaware Valley Chapter as a testament to the sincere appreciation of this legislative body.