The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of over 17,000 professional women of color in 299 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

Our Chapter was established May 12, 1951 and it is one of only two in West Virginia. It was organized by a committee of five ladies: Links Julia Y. Hawkins, Gladys B. Johnson, Ruth S.Norman, Thelma S. Gregory, and Grace I. Woodson. According to a document entitled, “Linking Through the Decades” by Link Mildred Ruth Holt: “It is very important to recognize from the onset that it is our abiding friendship and program enthusiasm that have been the bedrock upon which our Chapter has thrived the challenging decades.”

We are committed to transforming our community and fulfilling our purpose. We accomplish this through five program facets – Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services.

The Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, linked in friendship and connected in service!

Sincerely Yours,

Betty Spencer
President, Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter