Who We Are
To identify and collaborate with targeted partners within the community that have an interest in improving the quality of life of the citizens withinour designated service area while assisting the Chapter in identifying resources to support programming focused on the five (5) facet areas of the Links, Incorporated. 
The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry…On the evening of November 9, 1946, Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott, two young Philadelphia matrons, invited seven of their friends to join them in organizing a new type of inter-city club. The two women envisioned an organization that would respond to the needs and aspirations of Black women in ways that existing clubs did not. It was their intent the club would have a threefold aim–civic, educational, and cultural. Based on these aims, the club would implement programs, which its founders hoped would foster cultural appreciation through the arts; develop richer inter-group relations; and help women who participated to understand and accept their social and civic responsibilities.
The idea behind the creation of the Annapolis chapter developed in the summer of 1961, when a group of like-minded friends and neighbors gathered for various cultural celebrations occurring in the “Arundel on the Bay” area of Annapolis. This community of African-American professional women wanted to align themselves with an organization that promoted the same ideals and visions that they had for their community. Mrs. Vandola King, the group organizer, knew of The Links, Incorporated through close friends who were members of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Chapters. The Baltimore Chapter served as the group’s sponsors and the Annapolis Chapter of the Links, Incorporated was installed on August 20, 1962. The twelve charter members built the chapter’s foundation on their pursuit to ensure a circle of friendship while supporting the needs of the community.
To learn more about The Links, Incorporated, click here…
Our service programs are divided into five Facets: Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, Health and Human Services and The Arts. Each Facet provides a variety of ongoing programs to meet the needs of our community. Our programs include:
Services to Youth Facet: Change Engineering and The Leadership Academy programs provide monthly workshops on business, life, and career skill building along with social consciousness for 50 minority young women at Annapolis High School.
National Trends and Services: This Facet sponsors health fairs that target heart health, provides free screenings and includes assistance with accessing to the State Health Exchange. Additionally, this Facet works with youth aging out of foster care. The Facet has also sponsored a reception for Female Veterans and its first Woman Empowerment Forum, which included discussion on domestic violence and financial literacy.
International Trends and Services Facet: This Facet collects and ships eyeglasses, footwear and sporting equipment to schools to Ghana.
Health and Human Services Facet: This Facet provides a multi-year Health Academy at the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis where students receive ongoing lessons and experiences on healthy eating and lifestyles. Students have taken field trips to the Safeway Supermarket and prepared healthy meals at the Whole Foods Model Kitchen. Students demonstrated their knowledge of healthy eating and lifestyles by creating commercials which have aired for a number of years on the City of Annapolis TV station.
The Arts Facet: This Facet has sponsored women’s book signings and art shows, joined in partnership with the Annapolis Film Festival and has ongoing sponsorship of the Annapolis Opera Contest.
To view a video showcasing the Annapolis Links community service programs, click –> Service Programs Video
To learn more about The Links, Incorporated community service programs, click here…