History of the Waco Central (TX) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

The Waco Central Texas (TX) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated History

The Waco Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, was chartered in 1974 in Waco, Texas. Dolly Adams petitioned the chapter’s charter while on leave from the Angel City Chapter of Los Angeles, California. At the invitation of Lavesta P. Rutland, a Link on Leave from the Fort Valley, Georgia Chapter, and Link Adams, ten outstanding women were invited to participate as charter members of the Waco Chapter. They were Beulah Barksdale, Marguerite Bennett, Joann Clark, Martha Forney, Dolores Harris, Iris Harrison, Barbara Hobbs, Jean B. Manning, Vivienne Mayes, and Deloris Reid.

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The formal installation of the Waco Chapter was held on May 25, 1974, with Vera Codwell, the organization’s then-national vice president, serving as the installing officer. The first officers were: President Dolly Adams; Vice President Beulah Barksdale; Recording Secretary Marguerite Bennett; Corresponding Secretary Barbara Hobbs; Treasurer Lavesta P. Rutland; Financial Secretary Delores Harris; Parliamentarian Iris Harrison; and Inspiration Leader Vivienne Mayes. 

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The Waco Chapter has flourished since its inception. In May 1975, one year after the chapter was established, it received the “Outstanding Overall Program Award” at the 22nd Western Area Conference. The chapter continued to distinguish itself with programs of such quality and depth that it was awarded the honor again in 1977. The Waco chapter was the first to introduce the umbrella concept in working with the four facets of the Links program. It continued to be recognized for its outstanding service to the community and quality programming into the new Millennium. 

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As the chapter’s presence and membership base expanded in the surrounding Central Texas communities, the need for its name to reflect its purposeful intent to serve those communities and its members became apparent. In 2014, the chapter petitioned to add "Central Texas" to its established name, thereby embodying broader representation while preserving its historic, chartered character. The proposed name change opened the door for the Waco Central Texas (TX) Chapter to brand its work throughout the communities it serves. Through friendship and service, the chapter proudly builds upon the rich legacy of excellence laid by the Waco Chapter's charter members and the visionary leadership of The Links, Incorporated's founders, Sarah Strickland Scott and Margaret Rossell Hawkins. 

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Today, the chapter serves the following communities: Marlin, Waco, Hearne, Calvert, Killeen, Temple, and other nearby areas. In addition to fostering friendships among our members, we strive to improve the quality of life for residents in our service area by offering programming in five key areas: health and human services, national and international trends, the arts, and youth services.  

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In 2009, the Chapter received a promising program award for its “Think Pink with Links” program. The program raised breast cancer awareness among women of color and provided free mammograms for underserved women through a partnership with the American Cancer Society. The chapter was recognized again in 2020 with the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Community Impact Award for successfully implementing its Oral Health program. 1,500 Central Texas children received dental screenings, the highest number provided in the Western Area. It was honored in 2014 for its social media and website presence, winning the award for the Western Area's best social media and web presence practices.

 

Other programming initiatives of the Waco Chapter of the Links include: 
NSBE Jr.- STEM 
Introduces area youth to STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) and serves to promote and facilitate STEM education and career readiness for underrepresented Minority students in kindergarten through college. 
Choice Bully Prevention Workshop 
A partnership with Killeen ISD to inform and educate middle school students to combat and prevent bullying. 
Heart of Texas History Day Links Award 
Recognizes students for researching historical topics related to Black History and Women’s History. 
ACE Baylor Links Digital Media Program 
Integrated facet initiative with Baylor Journalism, Public Relations & New Media to promote, expose, and broaden digital, social media, and life skills for rural students in partnerships with Hearn and Calvert ISDs. 
Black Family Wellness /Santa’s Workshop 
A family fun event providing facet activities promoting the well-being of the family.  
The Mental Health Program
Programming related to mental health, healing and the Black community. 

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The Chapter has had the great fortune of members rising to serve at the National and Area level of the organization. Most notably, Dolly D. Adams was elected the Eighth National President and was previously appointed National Program Director. Beulah Barksdale was appointed National Archivist in the Adams administration. Sarah Seldom was the first chapter member elected to an Area office as the Western Area Recording Secretary. 

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In 2015, the Waco Chapter experienced a rise in leadership at the area level with the appointment of Link Josette Ayres as Western Area Chair. “40’s under 40’s” was an area initiative aimed at engaging and building retention among members under 50. She would also go on to serve as the Western Area Archivist. Terri Woods Campbell was appointed and served two terms as the Western Area Conference Workshop and Vendor Chair. Mia Moody served on the Western Area communication team, chaired the Western Area social media committee, and was instrumental in the chapter’s recognition for best social media and web presence practices. Sharon Gilmore has served on both the national and Western Area protocol committees. In honor of the 75th Anniversary of The Links, Incorporated, Kerry Ann Byrd contributed as a co-producer of “The Invitation,” a documentary chronicling the history of The Links, Incorporated.

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The chapter proudly honors four Platinum members: women who have dedicated over 30 years of service to the chapter. Lillian Manning, Vern Elliot, Ruby Powell, and Luwenda Pollard (active) faithfully support chapter activities and events. Beulah Barksdale, Martha Forney, Deloris Harris, Tommy Mitchell, and Gladys Mosely are recognized posthumously.