About The Links, Incorporated
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent 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. To learn more about The Links, Incorporated, visit https://linksinc.org or click here.
Chapter honored to welcome 11th National President, Patricia Russell-McCloud, to the Mountain State
Chapter President, Michelle Foster, Ph.D., presented the key to the city of Charleston, West Virginia and a special chapter gift to our 11th National President, Patricia Russell-McCloud, during her visit to our city. National President Russell-McCloud is known for her committed and conscientious leadership and unfailing service to the greater community. Thank you for your superb contributions to The Links, Incorporated!
PLATINUM STATUS: Betty Spencer celebrates 45 years of service in the Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter
An active chapter member since 1977, Betty Spencer exemplifies how to perform humble, dedicated, graceful and excellent community service. Currently, she is the chapter Vice President, a member of numerous committees, a mentor and a valued source of institutional knowledge. Congratulations, Betty Spencer, on reaching Platinum Status in The Links, Incorporated with over 45 years of service!
The Central Area Leadership of The Links, Incorporated presented a mission to all of the 69 chapters under its umbrella. The mission was to install a PoSITivity Bench in the local community in an effort to combat loneliness, give people a positive space to rest, signal for assistance, self-reflect, and meditate as well as provide a place to read. Our Chapter President, Michelle Foster, Ph.D., is pictured with our PoSITivity bench installed in partnership with West Virginia State University on its campus.
Walking for Healthy Living
Participation in The Links, Incorporated’s Annual Walk-A-Thon promotes togetherness and the importance of fresh air and reminds participants to stay active to stay fit.
Our chapter members continue to track their steps and report them on a quarterly basis for inclusion in The Links, Incorporated’s national total.
Collectively, to date, the Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter alone has taken more than 30.5 Million steps!
National Wear Red Day Activities
Chapter members participated in a 1 week healthy heart challenge designed to lighten both calories and food costs. They also wore red on National Wear Red Day to bring awareness of the dangers of heart disease and the importance of taking care of one’s body.
Heart Health Awareness Training
Breaking the Bias: Educating Upward Bound students about international disparities and the roles of extraordinary women
Our International Trends and Services to Youth facets worked jointly to present Education and Medication for Malaria to Upward Bound students in recognition of International Women’s Month. The theme of the event which was provided by the Central Area Leadership of The Links, Incorporated was Break the Bias. Education and healthcare access disparities were discussed as well as the successful efforts of our chapter to dispense medication in Nigeria.
Covestro partnership continues to yield positive STEM related experiences
Covestro, a world leading supplier of high-tech polymer materials, partnered with the Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter to provide vital STEM encouragement to 5th grade students at Mary C. Snow Elementary School in Charleston, WV. Students participated in morning or afternoon sessions while applying mathematical and scientific principles to complete fun activities, such as launching rockets. We honor the legacy of our dear chapter member, the late Mary C. Snow, for whom the school is named, by promoting exposure to various opportunities through education.
If you can see it then you can achieve it: Presenting Career Options to Upward Bound Students
We thank Krystal Tolliver, Director of TRIO programs at West Virginia State University, for the opportunity to work with the Upward Bound program participants. In this session, students learned about various career options to explore. Above, chapter member Kitty Dooley, Esq., educates students about opportunities within the legal field.
Awarding the 2021 Scholarship Recipients
Each $1,000 scholarship recipient experienced a personalized celebration with the Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated members who visited them at their individual homes. Awarding scholarships is an annual endeavor by the chapter. The application process opens each year in the spring and closes on April 30th.
Chapter recognizes STEM Program graduates at Mary C. Snow Elementary School
It has been a pleasure and a privilege to present STEM programming to the 5th grade students at Mary C. Snow Elementary School in Charleston, WV in partnership with Covestro. Students moving on to middle school participated in a graduation ceremony with their parents and teachers and received plaques from the chapter as well as a gift card in honor of their hard work.
Links Day at the State Legislature
The Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter advocates for voter registration and awareness
Co-moderated by our National Trends Co-Chair, Karen Williams, the WV Black Voter Impact Initiative held a candidates forum ahead of the May 2022 primary to give potential voters an opportunity to meet candidates, register to vote, assess the position of candidates and identify if their platforms aligned with the needs of the community. The chapter was pleased to actively participate and function as a supporter of the event.
Meeting with Mayor Amy Schuler Goodwin to discuss the State of the City
Charleston, West Virginia Mayor, Amy Schuler Goodwin, recapped her State of the City presentation at our virtual chapter meeting. She shared her vision for moving forward with the City of Charleston as well as addressed issues pertinent to women and minorities in the Charleston area.
Attending Black Policy Day at the WV State Legislature
Pictured: (left to right) Eva Jones, Michelle Foster, Ph.D., Chapter President and Kitty Dooley, Esq.
Abiding Friendship and Support is the Core of our Chapter and our organizationthe WV State Legislature
Retirement Celebration of Margaret Taylor following 37 years of service as the Director of the Sojourner’s Shelter for Homeless Women and Families.
Dancing with the Stars
Charleston - Institute (WV) Chapter Members receive Local, State and National recognition
Jennifer Pharr
First African American to receive the highest number of votes in a Charleston city council primary as an At Large Candidate
*Photo Credit: Will Price
Chapter celebrates a published author in our midst
Lifelong poet, Pamela Valentine, is a published author of Random Thoughts, a collection of poetry with themes centered around maturing in a somewhat contradictory world and the experiences that shape growth. Random Thoughts is available at Amazon.com and at BarnesandNoble.com.