​About Us

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946.  The original nine members   were Frances Atkinson, Katie Green, Margaret Hawkins, Marion Minton, Myrtle Manigault, Sarah Scott, Lillian Stanford, Lillian Wall, and Dorothy Wright. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of color in 288 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.  ​
The members of The Links, Incorporated are influential decision makers and opinion leaders. They are business and civic leaders, role models, mentors, activists and volunteers who work toward a common vision by engaging like-minded organizations and individuals for partnership. Links members contribute more than 1 million documented hours of community service annually – strengthening their communities and enhancing the nation.  Women with the distinction of being awarded honorary membership  for their National and international exemplary service are Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, international opera star Mattiwilda Dobbs, the incomparable Leontyne Price, the late Honorable Constance Baker Motley, iconic Marion Anderson, Honorable Patricia Roberts Harris, educator Elizabeth Koontz, “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” Rosa Parks, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Rice, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has five facets which include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services and Health and Human Services. The programs are implemented through strategies such as public information and education, economic development, and public policy campaigns.


This year, The Links, Incorporated celebrate our 75th Anniversary.  This video from our 65th Anniversary provides additional information about our organization and our programs.


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​James River Valley (VA( Chapter of The Links Incorporated

The James River Valley Chapter of the Links, Incorporated was chartered in 1983.  The chapter’s 37-year history is rich with activities devoted to serving the Richmond Community.  Following the programmatic thrusts of the national organization, the chapter has impacted on education (higher and K-12), health care, voter education, elder well-being, advocacy on behalf of victims of abuse, and promoting youth in the arts.  Most recently the chapter has channeled much of its integrated program efforts to STEM and Black Lives Matter. 
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