When The Links, Incorporated adopted a national structure in 1949, a vital geographical link was missing — chapters from the West.
Sacramento Chapter History
The Sacramento Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was installed in March of 1952 by the then Western Area Chairman, Loraine Richmond. It was the fifth chapter established in the Western area and the forty-ninth nationwide. Spearheading this group as organizer and first president was Marjorie Patterson.
The fifteen charter members were: Amorite (Aubert) Bolden, Daisy Bailey*, Maude Brewer*, Leonie Butler*, Elizabeth Garner*, Madeline Haskins*, Rhetta Hawkins*, Ruth Johnson*, Grace Jones*, Viola McFarland*, Vivian Nance*, Marjorie Patterson*, Adele Smith*, Hilda Taylor*, and Ruby Tipton*.
Past Presidents of the Sacramento Chapter
1952-1953 Marjorie Patterson*
1953-1954 Madeline Haskins Clark*
1954-1955 Ruth Johnson*
1955-1956 Vivian Nance*
1956-1957 Elizabeth Garner*
1957-1959 Maude Brewer*
1959-1961 Amorite Aubert Bolden*
1961-1963 Barbara Morgan*
1963-1965 Lucy Amerson Washington*
1965-1967 Betty Morrissey*
1966-1967 Lucille Copeland*
1968-1969 Vivian Nance*
1969-1971 Kathleen Pitts*
1971-1973 Anne Braxton*
1973-1976 Edwina Leon*
1976-1979 Sally Scott*
1979-1981 Maude Lu Spencer
1981-1982 Catherine Trent*
1982-1982 Gloria Ransom*
1982-1986 Beecher Fountaine*
1986-1988 Anne Kay*
1988-1990 Elvie Watts*
1990-1993 Barbara Nance
1993-1998 Queen Randall
1998-2002 Marguerite J. Jones*
2002-2004 Jean B. Harris
2004-2006 Joanie Jones Kelly
2006-2010 Delores Covington*
2010-2014 Thomaysa Glover
2014-2018 Cassandra Jennings
2018-2020 Marilyn Woods
2020-2022 Carolyn Veal-Hunter
2022-2026 Teresa Aldredge
National History
On the evening of November 9, 1946, Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott, two young Philadelphia matrons, invited seven of their friends to join them in organizing a new type of inter-city club. This organizing meeting of The Links was not a spontaneous action. In 1945, Link Hawkins had conceived the idea of a group of clubs composed of friends along the eastern seaboard and had spent many hours with Link Scott in thinking, planning and discussing the possibilities of such an endeavor.
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 the club would have a threefold aim--civic, educational, and cultural. Based on these aims, the club would implement programs, which its founders hoped would foster cultural appreciation through the arts; develop richer inter-group relations; and help women who participated to understand and accept their social and civic responsibilities.
About The Links, Incorporated
What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead. What sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it. We take time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn.
"Success isn't about how much money you make; it's about the difference you make in people's lives."
— Michelle Obama