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Chapter President
The South Bend Area Chapter is comprised of 24 members. This Chapter was chartered to serve a locality of northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Since our inception in 1990, we have been dedicated to our mission of providing service to our community through a chain of friendship. Our mission is to promote and engage in educational, civic, and intercultural activities in order to enrich the lives of members and the larger community, and to work together toward achieving community goals.
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 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.
On July 7, 1989, an Interest Group was informed created a format to start a chapter in South Bend, Indiana. Approval was given by the National Organization of the Links, Incorporated to start the chapter membership process.
The needs of the community were identified to formulate programs meeting needs in the areas of education, cultural, and civic responsibilities.
The Interest Group set forth in a cooperative endeavor to establish unity and impact upon the communities of South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Goshen and Osceola.
Efforts came to fruition on April 21, 1990, when the South Bend Area Chapter, The Links, Incorporated was chartered.
The Chapter’s Charter Members: Charter Members: Lillian Bell*, Jean Bibbs*, Sammi Bradford, Rosamond Byrd, Virginia Calvin, Ocealene Carr*, Virginia Chism, Nimbi Cushing, Mable Davis*, Lorene Ellison-Davis*, Christine Edgerton, Margaret Forrest, Donna Foster, Goldie Ivory*, Jeanette McCullough, Obera McDonald, Ethel Morgan, Teresa Phillips, Vernease Pyles, Otha Reese, Diane Rutter*, Madeline Smothers*, Joyce Stith*, and Myrtle Wilson
* Deceased
President--Lillian S. Bell, Vice President--Goldie L. Ivory, Recording Secretary--Jean E. Bibbs, Corresponding Secretary--Ocealene V. Carr, Treasurer--Rosamond Winmon Byrd.
*Five Women: The five women who initiated the Interest Group were Lillian Bell*, Rosamond Byrd, Virginia Brown Calvin, Goldie L. Ivory*, and Genevee Wesley (Michigan City, Indiana).
South Bend Area (IN) Chapter
2023 HOLIDAY BRUNCH
Chapter President
Greetings,
It is my honor and privilege to welcome you to the South Bend Area (IN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. As chapter president, I am thrilled you are visiting our website to learn more about our committed service to the community.
The Links was founded in 1946 with the mission to enrich, sustain, and ensure the culture and economic survival of African Americans. Our chapter continues that legacy by focusing our volunteer service on issues impacting women, youth, and families. We sponsor programs promoting education, health, art, and leadership development.
Our members are professional women dedicated to friendship, service, and philanthropic endeavors. We come from diverse occupations but are united by shared values and a desire to enact change. At our core, we believe in the power of collective impact.
On behalf of the phenomenal women who comprise the South Bend Area (IN) Chapter, I welcome you. We hope you will be inspired by the work we do and will consider joining us as we continue striving to uplift our community.
In service and friendship,
Tina Patton, Chapter President
The Links, Incorporated
Chapter History
WHO ARE WE
SOUTH BEND AREA (IN) CHAPTER
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