Our History
Established in 1946, The Links Incorporated, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The national organization has a membership of over 17,000 women in 299 chapters in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom.
We promote civic, intercultural, and social enrichment for humanity. There are five (5) facets that define our focus and programming structure for setting goals. These facets are: The Arts, Health & Human Services, National Trends & Services, International Trends & Services, and Services to Youth.
We are a public service, non-partisan, volunteer organization, and as such, our foundation—The Links Foundation, Incorporated—is a 501 c (3) tax-exempt organization because of our purposes and pursuit of charitable endeavors.
The Palos Verdes Chapter (CA), chartered in 1982, has served Los Angeles and South Bay communities for over 40 years. We have awarded over $620,000 in scholarships to high school students in Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Carson, and South Bay Los Angeles. Our chapter has also expended over $545,000 on our award-winning programs and performed over 86,000 service hours through community activities and collaborations with the local partners and the charities we support.
Membership is by invitation to women who reside in the Palos Verdes Peninsula and adjacent cities throughout the South Bay. The organization’s members are a diverse group, including professional women in business, law, medicine, education, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. Our Chapter is 100% volunteers.
Our Mission and Values
OUR MISSION
FRIENDS TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES THROUGH SERVICE!
OUR VALUES
FRIENDSHIP, SERVICE, LEGACY, RESPECT, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, HONESTY/TRUTH, CONFIDENTIALITY, INTEGRITY, COURAGE, RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
Our Code of Ethics is built upon a core set of values that are rooted in our organization’s history and philosophy while consistent with the evolution of our organization.
Fundraising Activities
Fundraising activities in which our members are required to participate include our scholarship fundraiser held bi-annually in March, and our year-round solicitation of grants and Corporate contributions.
Past Presidents of the
Palos Verdes Chapter
Cynthia Williams
2015-2019
Brenda Williams
2010-2015
Janet Baszile
2007-2009
Annette Little
2005-2007
Anita Hayes
2003-2005
Jacqueline Sholes
2001-2003
Helen Fobi
2000-2001
Carmen Kennedy
1997-1999
Dolores Caffey-Fleming
1995-1997
Patricia Wainwright
1993-1995
Marcia Mills
1991-1993
Celestine Wooten
1989-1991
Ethelyn Lundy
1987-1989
Lillie Wilson
1985-1987
Kathy Payne
1984-1985
Carroll Williams
1983-1984
Rita Marshall
1982-1983