Founding

History of The Links, Incorporated

Marjorie McPherson gathered a group of friends together, and in the middle of tea announced plans for the formation of a Los Angeles (CA) Chapter of The Links, Inc. She spoke at length about the advantages of membership, and invited her guests to become the charter members. The year was 1950.

The women who met in February to discuss the invitation reconvened the following September for installation. Vada Sommerville was elected president. Within a few years the new chapter hosted a Western Area meeting, the National Assembly, and received many awards for outstanding service to the community. The charter members of the Los Angeles Links, Inc. were Hilda Allen, Rheba Butler, Irene Morris, Cornelia Bradford, Sydnetta Smith, Marjorie McPherson, Josephine Smith, Rosemary Holloman, Birdie Lee Bright, Ursula Murrell, Della Williams, Gwendolyn Simmons, Alice Harvey, Miriam Matthews, Hortense Graham, Willa Bee Johnson and Dr. Vada Somerville

Los Angeles Links Today

Currently there are 49 active members and 21 Alumna Members. We also remember our founding members Josephine B. Smith and Gwendolyn Simmons. Chapter membership today is comprised of outstanding women dedicated to the rich tradition of Friendship and Commitment to Community Service. The Los Angeles (CA) Chapter is also proud of second generation-Link Legacy members who are daughters of Links continuing the tradition.

Community Service

Since its inception in 1950, the Los Angeles (CA) Chapter of The Links, Inc. has demonstrated ongoing commitment to service in the Los Angeles Community at large. In response to an ever-changing society, The Los Angeles (CA) Chapter has embraced the need for “service” through its Annual Debutant Ball. Proceeds from the gala event have provided in excess of $1,000,000 to support community organizations over the 60-year history of the chapter providing child care services, AIDS research, sickle cell youth camp scholarships, battered women’s shelters, tutorial programs, scholarships, art projects and performances, NAACP, Urban League, United Negro College Fund (UNCF), community improvement projects and more.

Los Angeles Links, Inc. are proud of their work building literacy through contributions to local elementary school libraries. The Chapter has adopted public schools for its literacy efforts and the Los Angeles Job Corps to institute annual career workshops to support social skill development and human relations for modern times.

Each year chapter members contribute over 5,000 hours of volunteer service to the community.