2022-2023
Program Year
New Jersey Cluster Celebrates
Founders' Day
In 1946, Co-Founders Margaret Rosell Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott invited seven of their friends to form the Philadelphia Club. The aim: “to do some good to help less fortunate citizens, raise the cultural level of our race, and to enjoy the social company of our friends,” Hawkins said.
Hosted by the Morris County (NJ) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, members from all over the Garden State came together to greet each other and welcome our National and regional officers as we commemorated our rich history of friends transforming communities through service.
We're Back!!!
The Links, Incorporated Celebrate 75 Years with "The Invitation"
In 1946, when Philadelphia educators Margaret Rosell Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott co founded the Links, Inc. — their vision for an intercity volunteer service organization for professional women of African descent — they did so with the help of just seven friends. Today, the Links has grown to more than 16,000 members (including Vice President Kamala Harris) in 299 chapters across the country, the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom, who log more than one million hours a year in service to their communities and to ensure the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and others of African ancestry. Watch the trailer below for "The Invitation", the highly touted documentary on the history of The Links, Incorporated. The Bergen County (NJ) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated was founded in 1974.
Calling All Caregivers
Are you caring for an aging parent and need the vital information to ensure that you and your loved one are protected? It's important that you know how to find the resources you'll need as you embark on this important part of life. Watch our webinar moderated by Link Alicia Henderson.
Packathon For Haiti
Chapter members joined other local volunteers and groups to pack over 130,000 meals (rice, pinto beans, dehydrated vegetables, and vitamin powder) for school children in Haiti. Watch the video above to see how this community-wide effort came together.
Stroll for the Vote
Chapter Officers:
Tammy King
President
Maredia Dionne Warren
Vice President
Courtnay Johnson-Suffern
Treasurer
Robin Cooper
Financial Secretary
Kai Brown Smith
Recording Secretary
Tara Edmonds
Corresponding Secretary
LIsa Brown
Program Coordinator
Christine Fowler Phillips
Protocol Officer
Teresa Oakley Smallwood
Parliamentarian
Jacquelyn Styles*
Ritual Chair
*deceased
Joining the AKA's and other local Black organizations to "Stroll for the Vote!" The crowd was energized by Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter.
Health and Human Services: Walking for Healthy Living
President's Message
Tammy King
Like many chapters across the country, members of the Bergen County (NJ) Chapter took part in our signature program "Walk for Healthy Living". The group, led by chapter President Tammy King, walked around Overpeck Park, a county part located in Leonia.
The Arts:
Chapter Sponsors 2 Films at the 2022 Teaneck International Film Festival
The Bergen County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated sponsored two films at the acclaimed Teaneck International Film Festival. The evening began with the viewing of "The Invitation", a short documentary chronicling the 75 year history of The Links, Incorporated. Many local chapter members were seen in the film. The second film featured the life and legacy of Honorary Link Marian Anderson. "Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands" explored the career and art of the famed African American contralto and civil rights pioneer. A spirited talkback followed the showing of the film and featured Director Rita Coburn (Marian Anderson) and the Bergen County (NJ) Chapter's first President Theodora Smiley Lacey and current President Tammy King. Allison Davis served as moderator.
Dear Friends,
Welcome to our website!
As the President of the Bergen County (NJ) Chapter of the Links Incorporated, I’m delighted that you’ve come to this space to learn more about our active chapter and the incredible women who are "Linked in Friendship and Connected in Service".
What a challenging two years, we've had but thankfully, we were able to keep step with virtual meetings and programs that have informed, educated and enriched our communities. 2023 promises to be far less challenging as we are finally able to meet in person! We have our sleeves rolled up and are ready to do the work we are called to do!
From our engaging programs to our involvement in the Teaneck International Film Festival ... to those we help during the darkest of days, our rich history in Bergen County is known throughout the community and beyond. We will continue those efforts and we will look for additional ways we can serve.
All the best,
Tammy King
President, Bergen County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
Poster Art Contest
Walk the Virtual Halls of Our Exhibit
Created in 1995, the Links, Incorporated National Poster Art Contest asks students to reflect and artistically express their work according to a specific theme. This year, the theme was "The Art of Social Justice to Transform Communities”. Led by Arts Facet Chair Link Theodora Lacey and Co-Chair Link Mia Gillespie, students were asked to create posters influenced by issues such as racial justice, equal rights, and law enforcement accountability. Please "walk the virtual halls" of our exhibition and see some of the amazing work of these incredible young artists. Click Below for the Exhibition.
Are you on the social networks? So are we and we invite you to connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.
©2022 Bergen County Chapter of the Links, Incorporated
National Trends and Services: Tablet Giveaway
Over 150 people were served in three locations as the Bergen County (NJ) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated teamed up with TruConnect to provide free tablets to those in need. The tablet giveaway program was part of a government initiative to ensure that low income families were not left out of the digital world. Many families have been unable to open e-mail accounts or obtain the educational opportunities provided online because they lack the proper equipment. The Links set up distribution “centers” in 3 communities within their boundaries and worked with TruConnect to get the devices in the hands of those who qualified.