Serving chapters in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina and The Bahamas
The Southern Area
ADVANTAGE
An E-Publication from the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated - Eneid A. Francis, Southern Area Director
Volume 1
Isssue 2
Effecting Change Through the Power of Friendship and Service
inside this issue
In Her Footsteps
Lessons in leadership from Link Julia Brogdon Purnell
Southern Area Chapters Making a Difference Starts on Page 17
Page 4
SOLACE The new assistance network of the Southern Area Page 5
Breast Cancer at a Glance
Remembering those we’ve lost Page 18
Links Enter National Black College Hall of Fame
Page 6
Page 24
Focus on Facets
Bouquets and Best Wishes
Page 8
Page 26
Executive Committee Meets to Strategize Southern Area Agenda
Resources and Opportunities
Page 15
Committee Directory
AfricanAmericans Needed in Technology Page 16
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In Memoriam
Page 28 Page 29
Be in The Advantage! Page 30
* Cover photo: Magic City Chapter President Link Deborah Byrd Walker (left) with actress Robin Givens at the chapter’s artistic acting project.
Dear Link Sisters,
On behalf of the Southern Area Executive Committee, we hope you enjoyed the first issue of the Advantage. We received positive responses from across the Southern Area . As we embark on our second issue, I ask you to use it as a source of information. Chapters have now begun implementing their program initiatives. The first Advantage issue unveiled the Southern Area’s program initiative, which integrates mentoring with STEM introduced through arts integration. This month, we continue to showcase our focus on programming. Looking at the subject of mentoring, traditionally we think of children and adults. However, mentoring relationships encompass any relationship where one individual acts as an advisor or consultant to another. Therefore, mentoring spans the scope of relationships regardless of age, class, gender and socio-economic status. Within our chapters, we often have the opportunity to mentor each other. Perhaps its sisterly advice, or taking a younger Link under our wing. Maybe an Alumna member Eneid A. Francis needs help becoming technologically compliant, or a newly Southern Area Director inducted member could benefit from learning more about the culture Linkdom. Whatever the scenario, mentoring begins at home. As we continue to impact the lives of our youth, let’s not forget to reach out to one another. The same genuine attention generated through our mentoring relationships can be modeled first by the love we have for our Link sisters. Before we can sincerely recruit and encourage others to inspire and mentor, we must first lead by example. I am always available to each member of the Southern Area. It is always a pleasure to hear your ideas, suggestions and goals. Together, we will Effect Change Through the Power of Friendship and Service. In the spirit of sisterhood,
_|Ç~ XÇx|w 3
Lessons in Leadership
by Link Julia Brogdon Purnell 7th National President 7th Southern Area Director Leadership in The Links, Incorporated affords a wonderful opportunity to offer your talents in service. I have had the distinct pleasure of serving this organization for two terms each as Chapter President, Southern Area Director, and National President. I would like to encourage my Sister Links to pursue leadership positions in our great organization. The Scott Hawkins Leadership Institute is a fabulous opportunity to prepare our younger members for the experience. Effective leadership requires strong guiding principles such as spirituality, love, friendship, faith, and prayer. I always try to live by the Golden Rule – “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. I was very fortunate to have a very supportive husband during my tenures and two sisters who were also Links that were available to assist me in any way that I needed. So, I tell everyone that aspires to be placed in a leadership position that they should have a strong supporting cast on a personal level and on your leadership team. It is very important to also have a mentor who can help guide them with sage advice and sound direction. The Southern Area has been very good to me, support I am still grateful for to this day. It helped sustain me as my administration set out to add structure and formalize certain processes within the operations of The Links, Incorporated. While in leadership, we developed more than 10 documents as guidelines and manuals and also revised the National Constitution and Rituals. We sought to “Improve the Quality of Linkdom” through the organizing of information. On the other hand, my most difficult issue as National President was the opposition that new chapters had to face. One situation actually resulted in a lawsuit requiring me to represent the organization in court. We won the case and went on to form two chapters that are still very strong, productive chapters today. As we approach our 65th anniversary celebration, I reflect on our founders, Link Margaret Roselle Hawkins and Link Sarah Strickland Scott. I think they would be very pleased and proud of the current state of The Links, Incorporated. The service that is being performed is outstanding and the focus on health is visionary. I believe they would urge us to keep friendship at the forefront of our interactions with each other. We should remember that during our membership intake process. There’s power in knowing what type of friend a potential new member is before inviting her into our organization. My Sister Links should remain focused on “Linking Friendship Together”. With friendship as our foundation, we can continue to enrich and impact our communities for the next 65 years. The sky truly is the limit!
Link Julia Brogdon Purnell
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In Her Footsteps
The 18th Southern Area Administration proudly introduces SOLACE
S O L A C E Support
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Support of Links All Concern Encouraged The Southern Area’s new initiative, SOLACE, allows Links and their families who are experiencing a crisis due to death, catastrophic illnesses, sickness, or other life altering events, to receive meaningful and compassionate support from Links throughout the Area who can assist them.
Florida - Georgia Bahamas -North Carolina Louisiana - MississippiSouth Carolina - Alabama
Concern
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Visit the salinksinc.org and click on SOLACE
Technology Chair anonymously blasts your need to our sisters
You are connected with your voluntary donors
The way the program works is simple: 1. A Link will go to the Southern Area website, click on the SOLACE link to send a confidential communication discussing her need or the need of a chapter member. 2. The Southern Area Technology Chair, who is responsible for monitoring the communications, will then send a confidential e-blast across the Area requesting members for assistance. 3. The donor(s) will then be connected to the Link in need. Assistance can range from donating hotel points, airline miles, arranging appointments for medical treatment, donating blood, providing financial assistance to sending words of support or cards. 5
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while breast cancer deserves our attention year-round, a national month of recognition serves to remind all Americans that breast cancer is a disease that impacts women (and men) of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, as well as among African American women. And although breast cancer is the most common cancer, it remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women behind cancer of the lungs. Very disturbing disparities exist between Black and white women when it comes to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and survival, and these significant differences will be outlined in this article. 6
Breast Cancer at a glance What Is Breast Cancer ? Breast cancer is a malignant growth or tumor that frequently begins to manifest in the milk ducts or lobules of either breast. Breast cancer can be divided into two groups: invasive and non-invasive cancers. Non-invasive breast cancers are also called “carcinoma in situ” and are generally confined to the duct areas without affecting surrounding tissue. Noninvasive breast cancers can be subcategorized as “ductal carcinoma in situ” (DCIS) and “lobular carcinoma in situ” (LCIS). LCIS is actually not considered a cancer, per se. Rather, it is seen as a warning sign that can potentially lead to invasive cancer when undetected. Invasive breast cancers may develop in the lobules or ducts but then spread into surrounding breast tissue, and can often further metastasize to the lungs, brain, liver, bones, and other major organs. Approximately 80% of invasive breast cancers fall into the category of invasive ductal carcinoma.
Stages of Breast Cancer • Stage 0:. breast cancer is known as carcinoma in situ, the most common being DCIS, DCIS, as described above. • Stage 1: Breast cancer signifies early invasive cancer in which the tumor has not spread beyond the breast tissue and is no more than ¾ of an inch in diameter. • Stage 2: Breast cancer involves a tumor between ¾ of an inch and 2 inches in diameter with some involvement of the local lymph nodes under the arm. • Stage 3: Breast cancer can involve a combination of various factors, including larger tumor mass, involvement of lymph nodes behind the breast bone, tumor spread into the chest wall or skin of the breast, or under or above the collar bone. Stage 3 also may manifest as inflammatory breast cancer, a rare form of breast cancer wherein the breast becomes red and swollen due to the blockage of lymph vessels in the breast tissue and skin. • Stage 4: Breast cancer involves the spreading of the disease to other parts of the body and distant organs, a process often referred to as metastasis.
Screening Breast self-exam (BSE) is an important part of self-screening for women of all ages, although studies show that the percentage of women who practice regular monthly BSE is relatively low. Mammograms are a very crucial aspect of breast cancer screening, and is still considered the best method of early detection. Starting at the age of 35, annual mammograms are recommended for all women, as well as an annual clinical breast exam by a qualified medical professional. MRIs of the breast are also utilized for special magnification views, yet mammograms remain the gold standard for early detection.
Treatment Breast cancer is generally treated with a combination of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation, and surgery. Chemotherapy and hormonal treatments are systemic therapies that target cancer cells that have traveled to areas of the body beyond the breast. Surgery and radiation are localized treatments focusing specifically on the breast tissue itself. Breast cancer surgeries may be “breast conserving”, wherein “lumpectomies” and other localized surgeries endeavor to conserve as much viable non-cancerous breast tissue as possible. Mastectomies can involve the removal of a portion of the breast tissue and local lymph nodes, as well as radical surgery that encompasses the entire breast and portions of the chest wall, when necessary.
Black women continue to struggle with breast cancer Breast Cancer: Action Is Still Needed Breast cancer is still a very serious public health issue for American women, and racial disparities regarding screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have a significant negative impact upon African American women, and are indeed a cause for alarm, action and advocacy. Breast self-exam, annual mammograms, and annual clinical breast exams are all important aspects of early detection that all women should undertake and advocate for on their own behalf.
Breast Cancer and African American Women: D i s t u r b i n g S t a t i s t i c s Although African American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer than their white counterparts, they actually have a higher risk of death from breast cancer, a statistic that scientists are still endeavoring to fully understand. Some studies have indicated that breast cancers grow more rapidly in African American women and are less responsive to hormone-based therapies. Other studies have also demonstrated that African American women tend to be diagnosed at later stages of the disease than white women, and various factors have been considered to explain this racial difference in diagnosis, including the fact that African American women undergo fewer mammograms. According to an article on the website of the Black Women’s Health Imperative (www.blackwomenshealth.org), both insured black women and uninsured white women wait twice as long to receive “a definitive breast cancer diagnosis” than white women who are insured, and black women “waited twice as long as white patients to begin treatment after breast cancer diagnosis”. Additionally, a study by the American Journal of Public Health found that African American women are less likely to receive appropriate cancer treatment, a conclusion that calls for greater advocacy and racial parity in screening, diagnosis and treatment. This is underscored by the fact that the 5-year survival rate from breast cancer among African American women is 69%, whereas the 5-year survival rate for white women is 84%, another disturbing racial differential. 7
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International Trends & Services
by Sharlyn Smith Chair, International Trends Welcome to International Trends and Services 20112013! The goals of the National International Trends and Services Facet are to develop programs for chapters that provide humanitarian outreach related to education, health care and basic human needs for people from developing nations who are of African descent; to provide advo-
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women and girls of Haiti. The Survival Kits provide a means for Links to directly improve the overall lives of Haitian women and girls by meeting basic humanitarian needs and providing sustainable assistance. Through this program, The Links, Incorporated will display its solidarity with the United Nations and its call for gender equality and empowerment for females in Haiti. The program emphasis in the Southern Area focuses on youth. We are also considering a program that will fill basic needs of Haitian youth which, if left unmet, may prohibit a child from accessing education. Our “Linking with the USA” program promotes awareness in our communities of global issues and also highlights career opportunities. This creates an opportunity to raise awareness in our communities of challenges faced by Haiti. The International Trends and Services National Programs that are based in our communities are designed to engage minority high school students to become aware of global issues and international career choices, while advocating for social/civil responsibility. As we mentor our children with a twist, we can provide them with as many enriching, educational, and rewarding international experiences as possible. This The 2010 earthquake devasted the island nation and brought further injury to a bad situation. Our tool kits help to improve the lives of the island nation’s women and girls.
cacy on behalf of people from developing nations of African descent who are oppressed or victimized; and to promote global awareness among the youth that we mentor. In the Southern Area, for the next two years, we will seek to realize these goals by focusing on the island nation of Haiti. By integrating and augmenting several of our national program initiatives, chapters in the Southern Area will have the power to effect changes in the lives of Haitians. The 2010 earthquake in the island nation exasperated an already dire humanitarian situation. Women and girls were left without the personal necessities for feminine hygiene. The “Links to Haiti” program is designed to deliver “Survival Kits” to
may be achieved through a Model United Program, the “LIFE” program or the United Nations World Youth Conferences. Chapters who choose one of these avenues may focus on Haiti and the issues affecting the Haitian people today. I invite you to visit our area website, www.salinksinc.org, and our national website, www.linksinc.org, for further details on all the exciting programs designed to excite and engage our chapters in programming for International Trends and Services. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. Have a wonderful year in programming as we expand the Links’ presence.
Link Sharlyn 9
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by Brenda Thompson Jamerson Services to Youth will continue to support the followChair, Services to Youth ing National initiatives and two Signature Programs deProgramming under the Servsigned to elevate academic performance and career ices to Youth (STY) facet is readiness among African American youth: • National Mentoring Initiative aligned with delivering and sus• Young Achievers Initiative - 9th -12th Grade – taining transformational pro“Developing the Whole Child” grams for youth in • S.T.E.M. Education and Career Readiness Initiative kindergarten through • Historically Black Colleges and Universities Initiative college. Through the 77 chapters comprising the • Links to Success: Children Achieving Excellence Signature Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, we will Program design and conduct programs that are community• Project L.E.A.D. – High Expectations Signature Program relevant and have a positive, long-term and measurable impact. We are Your Southern Area STY team is dedicated to ensure that we supcommitted to engaging commuport our chapters in their efforts to deliver and sustain relevant, exnity partners in the design, citing and strategic programs. As we strive to fully realize the implementation and delivery of dynamic vision of our Area Director, we will help guide your efforts programs that close the to implement these programs by: academic achievement gap and • Developing a model for recruiting, training and monitoring community menprepare our African American tors to support chapter programs; youth for the 21st century • Promoting strategies to leverage arts integration and S.T.E.M.-related comworkforce. We will ponents with current programs such as those addressing childhood obesity preaccomplish our efforts by vention; Leading with Excellence – • Providing a blueprint for adoption of the Rockin’ Readers program, a national Serving with Grace while literacy initiative in partnership with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.; Effecting Change Through the and Power of Friendship and Service. • Enhancing adherence to and effective use of the Service Delivery Model Today, our over-arching theme is through targeted chapter training initiatives. consistent with President Barack Obama’s “cradle to career” As your Southern Area STY Chair, I look forward to educational initiatives. These working collaboratively with you on initiatives that will initiatives map closely to those of Services deliver and sustain transformational programs heeding to Youth and Education Linkage regarding the words of Mary McLeod Bethune as stated below: preparation of our youth to complete their “The world around us really belongs to youth for youth education and succeed. The Southern Area will conwill take over its future management. Our children must tinue to implement multi-faceted programs that are never lose their zeal for building a better world. They must responsive to the academic, cultural, health, social not be discouraged from aspiring toward greatness, for awareness, career development and mentoring needs they are to be the leaders of tomorrow.” of our youth. -Mary McLeod Bethune’s “My Last Will and Testament”
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The primary goals of this facet are to:
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• Promote early literacy • Close the K-16 academic achievement gaps • Increase high school and college graduation rates • Implement local mentoring programs from kindergarten through college • Introduce and support S.T.E.M. education and career readiness programs • Implement college readiness programs • Award college scholarships and endowments • Promote and support Historically Black Colleges
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Health and Human Services by Cori Brock to identify effective prevention strategies in both adults and chilChair, Health and Human Services dren. At the 2011 Area Conferences, our NaThe Health and Human Services Facet was founded as a retional President, Link Margot James sponse to the health disparities that are adversely affecting our Copeland, addressed the disturbing reali- communities as described above. The mission of the Facet is to ties across America within our communities and our families in her promote and faciliAlmost 20% of all blacks 20 years State of the Organization, Facing our Future with Urgency and tate programs that of age or older have diabetes Commitment. Within her presentation, Link Margot highlighted the support the maintemagnitude nance of good compared to 10% of whites Among black men, both the incidence of the chal- health and the elimand death rate from cancer are higher lenges fac- ination of chronic health disparities in communities of color through when compared to their white counterparts ing our education, health advocacy, and optimal utilization of health recommunity, sources. As a service-based organization, we can play a unique particularly among our youth. We, as members of The Links, In- role in educating our communities about the impact of health discorporated are well positioned to serve our communities and sub- parities and how individuals can make a difference in their own sequently facilitate change through our transformational lives to serve the greater good. programming. The Links, Incorporated promotes the use of the Service Delivery Programming in the Southern Area will aim at mentoring our Model to ensure transformational programming to meet our organyouth. Particularly in health, the likelihood of promoting lifelong ization goals and objectives. The Service Delivery Model is a usechange begins with interventions in the early, formative years. It ful tool to plan and evaluate programs. The planning elements is especially critical to intervene early because the health and well- include inputs, outputs, outcomes, external factors, and assumpness of our families and children are under duress. For example, tions. Furthermore, the Service Delivery Model is a graphic tool although white women have the highest incidence of cancer, black used to describe the relationship between the planning elements. women have a higher death rate from cancer. Among black men, Using the Service Delivery Model allows chapters to connect acboth the incidence and death rate from cancer are higher when tivities with impact, provide continuity, and continued improvement compared to their of chapter programs. Although white women have Disease prevention is a collective responsibility white counterparts. Another life changing the highest incidence of cancer, requiring individual, family, community, corporate condition prevalent in black women have a higher and governmental commitment. The multiplicity of deour community is diadeath rate from cancer terminants and environmental influences provides a persuasive betes. Diabetes is the foundation for community based efforts from a dedicated service 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Almost 20% of all blacks 20 years of organization. My Link sisters, I know you readily accept the chalage or older have diabetes compared to 10% of whites. In addi- lenge and I look forward to working with you to ensure the utilization, diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease tion of the Service Delivery Model to promote better health and (CKD). Yet again, African Americans are almost 4 times more likely wellness by “Effecting Change Through the Power of Friendship to develop end stage renal disease (ESRD) than whites following and Service�. Thank you and I can’t wait to hear from you, a CKD diagnosis. And even more unfortunate, patients with CKD are 16 to 40 times more likely to die than to reach ESRD. A significant contributor to diabetes is obesity. Approximately one-third of adults are obese. Blacks have the highest rate of obesity at 44% and the region of the United States with the greatest prevalence is the Southern United States. Among children, 17% are obese and once again our young black girls are significantly more likely to be obese that young white girls the same age. Even more startling, 1 out of 3 children are obese are targeted at eliminating health disparities or overweight before their 5th birthday. Obese children are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes; all are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We are at a crossroads. We must take an active role in activating our programs to improve the health of our community. Our African American families have systematically experienced more significant social and economic obstacles to health. The time is now for us to mobilize as an organization
Link Cori M. Brock
Our three Signature Programs and two National Initiatives Linkages to Life Heart Links to Heart Health, Walk for Healthy Living Childhood Obesity Susan G. Komen
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Karyn M. Combs Chair, The Arts Greetings and welcome! Thank you for your hard work and leadership as facet chairs and committee members. During 2011-2013, the goal of The Arts facet is to “connect” arts initiatives and activities that will include arts integration with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The objective is to expose, involve and motivate elementary, middle and high school students to pursue careers in STEM. We strongly believe that this can be accomplished through increased partnerships with or-
grated into STEM and further increases their quality of learning and educational experiences. Art is a fundamental part of the cultural heritage of every student and will serve to connect the imagination of these students so they can have visions to dream of engineering, becoming scientists, and mathematicians to promote global awareness in the 21st century. Further, art allows students to acquire the tools and knowledge necessary to create individual responses to a variety of subject matters. It bridges the gap between the past and present, the impossible becomes the possible and the unobtainable becomes the reality through this imagery. Additionally, the Arts vision is to ensure that our goals have sustainability and are measurable from year to year to determine areas of strength and interests, for us to collaboratively identify areas that we would like to revise based on input and data from Art Facet Chairs in the Southern Area. Once again, thank you for your ganizations and professionals in our chapters commitment to excellence in all you do to fulfill and communities who can serve as mentors for the National Arts goal and to increase and exthe bright minds of our youth. The purpose of pand art activities and elevate our programs our mentors is to ensure students learn about through arts integration, and effectively create their own creative expressions, and that art an arts renaissance within our organization and brings enrichment and joy and can be inte- programmatic efforts.
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All chapters are requested to make a concerted effort to enter the National Poster Art Competition during 2011-12. The theme is: “Healthy, Active and Wise-Make Health a Habit.” Participating chapters must submit the “Notification of Chapter Participation Form” to K. Joy Peters, Chair, National Poster Art Committee, via e-mail (kjoyenjoy19@aol.com) on or before October 31, 2011. For further details about other opportunities for chapters to get involved in “The Arts” during 2011-2013, please visit our National website: www.linksinc.org.
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National Trends and Services by Denise M. Cooper, Chair National Trends and Services
The focus of the National Trends and Services facet is and the Congressional Black Caucus to facilitate an Isto increase the awareness of issues that have significant sues Forum on "Closing the Achievement Gap” at the economic and social inequitable affect on the overall 41st Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative quality of life of African Americans. National Trends Conference in Washington, D.C. and Services specifically addresses issues in the areas of Additionally, later this year an anti-bullying initiaeducation, income, health, employment, and other so- tive, Trash Talk: It is no joke!, will be launched to tackle cial indicators of well-being with racial and ethnic dis- this growing issue in our communities. National parities as the underlying leading factors driving our Trends and Services will provide a toolkit to assist chapprogramming. ters with incorporating the initiative into their current It is our vision to develop programming and provide programming or establishing an anti-bullying program services to eliminate these disparities by reducing the in their local communities. barriers through advocacy, education, and service. In the Southern Area, we will direct our programming With a mission to empower chapters to effectively em- to ensure alignment with our National goals and initiapower their own communities, we have tives through measurable and sustainNational Trends and set goals increasing the number of susable programming. Our members are tainable and measurable programs; incharged to look to the future of our Services specifically creasing collaborative partnerships; and addresses issues in the programming and its impact by incorextending our existing initiatives to inporating STEM education. This is a areas of education, clude communities with the greatest charge we take very seriously as we acincome, health, need. knowledge and recognize the need for As National Trends and Services em- employment, and other awareness and developed skill sets in barks on its second year of redevelopthe various areas of STEM education. social indicators of ment with its health related issues We look forward to continuing our well-being with racial shifting over to our 5th facet, Health legacy of service as we explore national and ethnic disparities Human and Services, we are excited trends and provide services through our two standing committees that will impact our communities. as the underlying Link Denise M. Cooper Legislative Issues, Public Affairs and leading factors driving Disaster Relief Committee and Women’s our programming Issues and Economic Empowerment Committee – to continue to focus our attention on national and current issues that are impacting our communities. Through these committees, the following programs, national partnerships and sponsorships have been established: Wallet Wise Financial Literacy Program (former SmartEdge), AARP Are You Ready Program, and Habitat for Humanity International “Homes without Borders”. We have hit the ground running with continuing to foster relationships and partnerships with other organizations such the Congressional Black Caucus. The Links, Incorporated partnered with the Kettering Foundation
EDUCATION LINKAGE by Lucinda Ross Sullivan, Chair, Education Linkage Greetings Sister Links! I am Link Lucinda Ross Sullivan of the Augusta, Georgia Chapter and I serve as Education Linkage chair for these “awesome seventy-seven” Southern Area chapters (A-77!). Link Sisters, we are in a battle of epic proportions to save our children, maintain a middle class as well as build personal success and a strong nation. Thus, education stands as the preeminent force to combat these conflicts and the Links, a preeminent organization of professional women of talent, have a long and storied history of unprecedented strength and dedication to address issues in the education arena. Consequently, as Education Linkage chair, I will work diligently to support and enhance your efforts to implement substantive and sustainable programs that lead to effective vehicles for preventing and eradicating the dire challenges faced by youth of African ancestry in the communities we serve. Currently, Education Linkage is tasked with development and implementation of the Southern Area Mentoring Initiative focusing on programs which integrate the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with the Arts. Additionally, Education Linkage will ensure support and guidance for integrating STEM into programs addressing the Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative. Education Linkage will work collaboratively within the Services to Youth Facet (STY) to give priority to ensuring effective utilization of the Service Delivery Model (SDM). Very importantly, as we implement the SDM which seeks to build a common language for accountability and evaluation across the Links organization, we will greatly enhance facilitation of sharing, replication, adaptation and dissemination of Models of Excellence,
Best Practices and other ongoing documented successes across the A-77! Please understand that implementation of the SDM does not mean that we scrap or abandon plans, previous efforts and/or attempts at various programming. We must not “throw the baby out with the bath water” but use tweaking and tuning (TNT) to ensure alignment with elements of the SDM tool. Aligning all programs against the SDM exemplar will elucidate pathways for more effective planning as well as implementing and evaluating programs for their long-term impact and relevance to our local communities. I am committed to providing ongoing research, modules, programs and other finds that extend, intensify and transform programming through frequent postings in The Southern Area Advantage. Also, I see my role as providing a conduit for the supply and exchange of creative ideas from across the A-77! Additionally, we must never forget one of our greatest resources, the expertise between and among us, especially the invaluable institutional knowledge many of you possess from serving Linkdom over time. Please share! My current research has focused on ways to implement our STEM initiative resulting in locating a number of program models on “Quilt Making”, which incorporate Mathematics and Art concepts. Additionally, these models are highly adaptable for community relevance as they can bring our youth together with senior citizens and other intergenerational groups in symbiotic relationships where all participants benefit. Moreover, as any of the A-77 become successful in soliciting partnerships to acquire funding, materials, supplies, etc., these resources could be disseminated to all who wish to implement similar programs, thereby saving time and effort for other important chapter tasks. Feel free to reach out to me at educationchair@salinksinc.org. In the Spirit,
Link Lucinda Sullivan
Education Linkage supports President Barack Obama’s education initiative aimed at creating partnerships and alliances to educate and prepare youth for the 21st century workforce 14
The 2011-2013 Southern Area Executive Committe: STANDING (L-R) Sharlyn Smith, Debra Lazare, Natille Duncan, Kimberly Sweet, Faye Hargrove, June Michaux, Maxine Smith, Lucinda Sullivan, Denise Cooper, Karyn Combs, Cori Brock, Brenda Jamerson, Selma Robinson-Ayers, Ruth Waters, Marguerite Archie-Hudson, Juanda Maxwell, Ruth Terrell and Sylvia Perry. SITTING (L-R) Rosalind Fuse-Hall, Charlotte Henderson, Bessie Isom, Anne Herriott, Tamara Lee, EneidA. Francis, Janice Nelson, Ophelia Nicholson, Daisy Walker and Mignon Breaux Early.
Southern Area Executive Committee Meets to Plan Agenda for 2011-2013 NEW ORLEANS, La - The 2011-2013 Southern Area Executive Committee held its inaugural retreat October 13-16 to strategize the Southern Area agenda. The packed three-day meeting included a strategic planning session led by National Strategic Planning Chair Gloria Parker, a friendship bonding session and committee reports from each chair. The meeting was organized by Area Event Planning Chair Ruth Terrell who spared no detail in coordinating the efficient meeting. The retreat kicked off on Thursday, October 14th, with an ice breaker and welcome by Area Director Eneid Francis. Committee members were given the opportunity to get to know each other better and discuss their ideas for their perspective roles. Members also learned of new plans for the upcoming 2013 Area Conference in Miami and the Leadership Conference in October 2012 which will focus solely on leadership training. Friday morning began with committee chairs giving their reports, which included information obtained from the August governance meeting to ensure alignment across the Links organization. Lunch ‘on your own’ gave each Link an opportunity to taste New Orleans’ world famous cuisine at their leisure. The afternoon session welcomed National Strategic Planning Chair Gloria Parker. Link Gloria worked with the committee step by step as it developed the strategic plan for the next two years. The inter-
active session divided the committee into three groups who were each assigned two strategic initiatives to work on. Following the breakout session, the groups came Left, Rosalind Fuse-Hall and Kimberly Sweet discuss art at the friendship activity. together to Shown right is National Strategic Planning Chair Gloria Parker accepting a token of appreciation for her hard work with the committee from Area Director Eneid Francis. discuss their bring final touches to the Southern Area’s strateresults and create a shared vision. Following the intense session, the committee gic plan. All of the components, which had been had an opportunity to relax in a friendship bond- carefully logged and organized the previous , ing activity at Corks & Canvas, a local art cen- made it easy for the committee to bring its goals tered instruction establishment. Everyone had and objectives in alignment with the national the opportunity to create their own painting with focus of the Links, Incorporated. After the close an instructor providing step by step instructions of the second strategic planning session, the Exon painting an authentic New Orleans shotgun ecutive Committee finished its reports. The house. The private venue, open for Links only, Southern Area Executive Committee Meeting provided a relaxed atmosphere complete with a was brought to a close with a “Peace Circle” and buffet dinner amidst the smooth sounds of R&B a serenade of solidarity by the entire committee classics. The evening concluded with everyone led by Area Vice Director Tamara Lee to Area proudly showing off her painting and inspired Director Eneid Francis. "I couldn't have asked for a better team," said to continue their mission of friendship and servLink Eneid, "I have no doubts we WILL effect ice. change through the power of friendship and The final day of the meeting began early to service."
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NNPA Newswire If TechAmerica, technology’s largest advocacy organization, would send a blanket invitation to all African-American CEOs of public technology companies, the International Business Times said, the response would be so small that the tech organization would cancel the event. There are several prominent Blacks right below the CEO level who may be future CEOs, according to IBTimes, including Google's David Drummond, EVP and general counsel; IBM's Rod Adkins, Senior VP for Systems and Technology, and General Electric's Lloyd Trotter, president of GE Industrial Systems, but overall the number is small. “The important thing is not to be the CEO of Xerox,” eAccess founder John W. Templeton told IBTimes. “The important thing is to be the one who creates the next imaging device.” Templeton said that the Black community must groom young engineers and scientists in order to expand diversity in the technology sector, but admitted a lack of contracts, financing and access to venture capital has been a challenge to turn dreams into reality. The number of African Americans who hold
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jobs in Silicon Valley, the southern part of the San Francisco Bay region that holds the world’s largest technology companies, has tremendously declined. In 2008, only 1.8 African Americans were hired at the 15 largest companies including eBay, Cisco Systems and Hewlett-Packard. Templeton said “offshoring” in Latin America and Asia has contributed to the decline of diversity. The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has a current membership of 35,800, most are college students who are studying engineering and mathematics. “The best way to interest young African Americans in technology is by setting a personal example,” said NSBE Chairman Calvin Phelps. At Cornell University, only six percent of the engineering faculty is minorities and only three percent are African Americans, the IBTimes reports. A report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workface found that overall, engineering majors of all disciplines reported the highest median earnings at $75,000.
More African Americans C r i t i c a l l y Needed in Technology
Greater Miami Youth Attend Architect and Design Summer Camp by Renee Jones For two weeks, six students in the Greater Miami Chapter’s Links Educating Talented Students to Draw (LETS Draw) Program attended the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architects in the Making (AIM) summer camp. Sponsored by AIA Miami, the camp is designed for children to learn about architecture, careers in the field of architecture and to be inspired to become tomorrow’s architects. LETS Draw, a partnership with the Alonzo Mourning Overtown Youth Center (OYC) was developed and designed to educate minority youth (grades 2-12) with exceptional artistic ability in the visual arts; increase their knowledge of the visual arts; build self confidence in drawing skills; and provide career exposure in the field of visual arts. The LETS Draw students - Aaron Ashe, Aesha Coleman, Charlotte Graham, Keyana Joseph, Nathaniel Pedernera and Kyndal Royal joined more than 60 children from throughout Miami-Dade County at the University of Miami’s School of Architecture for design classes taught by practicing architects who are members of AIA Miami. The classes focused on an introduction to architecture, sketching and designing, green building and sustainable
design and hands-on CADD instruction on creating computer designs. The students also enjoyed several field trips including a walking tour of downtown Miami’s architecture and historic landmarks, tours of several architectural firms, the Lowe Art Museum and a day at Hialeah’s Aquatic Center. The summer camp culminated with an Open House which allowed the students to showcase what they learned. The talented students proudly designed and LETS Draw students at the University of Miami School of displayed futuristic town- Architecture with Greater Miami Chapter Arts Facet Chair, homes to enhance the qual- Link Judy S. Carter ( L-R: Nathaniel Pedernera, Kyndal ity of life for all Royal, Keyana Joseph, Link Judy S. Carter, Aesha Colecommunities. man, Charlotte Graham and Aaron Ashe). Chapter President Link Co-chair, Architects in the Making successRenée S. Jones and the members of Greater fully exposed students to professions where Miami Chapter are extremely proud of being they can utilize their artistic ability. Transformable to provide this opportunity of a lifetime for ing lives and minds, two students even exthese talented students. Much to the delight of pressed an interest in becoming tomorrow’s Link Judy Carter, Greater Miami Chapter Arts architects.
$15,000 Donated to Establish State-of-the-Art Teen Fitness Room In an effort to address childhood obesity among African American chil- dent participants and developed the 365 Health Plan, a commitment to dren, the Greater Miami Chapter donated $15,000 in exercise equipment lifestyle changes for future good health. Based on the success of the 365 to the Family Christian Association of America (FCAA) Inc., to support Plan, the chapter was awarded a grant from the Kellogg Foundation and health initiatives for children. implemented its latest childhood obesity initiative, All About Me ~ The ribbon cutting was held this Healthy, Happy & Fit at summer for the Greater Miami four program sites – Chapter Links Teen Fitness Linda Lentin K-8 Center, Room. The state-of-the art fitness Frank C. Martin K-8 room is equipped with treadmills, Center, Arcola Lake Eleelliptical machines, exercise mentary School - Stepbikes, weights, literature and a pers and FCAA After volunteer personal trainer. The School Program. grand opening of the fitness room The initiative resulted represents the first phase of the in increased awareness Greater Miami Chapter’s goal to and the expansion of the increase physical activity and proknowledge base of childmote healthy food choices among hood obesity prevention children. Plans are underway to among African Ameriinstall playground equipment and can youth at the sites and to donate sports packs designed to the chapter is looking increase outdoor physical activity forward to continuing to each of FCAA’s 13 After their childhood obesity L-R: Links René D. Beal, Beverly E. Nixon, Juanita Johnson, Chapter awareness and prevenSchool Programs. In 2008, the Greater Miami President Renée S. Jones, Florence G. Strachan and Martha A. Welters tion campaign. Chapter partnered with FCAA stu- stand in front of the building the fitness center is housed.
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Mid-Florida Cluster Ready to Turn Up the Magic for 2012 National Conference by Joy Wallace The Mid-Florida Cluster comprised of Southern Area Chapters from Gainesville to Brevard County is busy churning up the “magic”. What is this, you say? The eagerly anticipated 38th National Convention will be held in the beautiful city of “Dreams, Imagination and Fantasies”—Orlando, Florida, June 27th - July 1st,
2012. Conference attendees will be treated like Royalty as they converge upon Orlando and the magnificent plans the Mid-Florida Cluster has in store. It will be “magical”, and as we renew our friendships from across the miles and give back to our communities far and wide, the platinum standard will apply, “We
will take care of plenty of business and we will have plenty of fun”. Start prepping those Connecting Links, Heir-o Links, and of course yourselves, and be ready to spend some “magical” days in Orlando, Fl. The Mid-Florida Cluster has been given the “wish list” and they are about the business of making dreams come true!!
In Memoriam Link Lynn Valeria Spearman Dickerson Lynn Valeria Spearman Dickerson passed away Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, in Baton Rouge. She was born in Tallahassee, FL, on December 29, 1951, to Leonard and Valeria Spearman. She was married to William Dickerson of Baton Rouge, LA for 16 years. A Howard University graduate, she served for many years as a Senior Administrator at Southern University before her recent retirement. Expressions can be sent to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation and to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Baton Rouge. Lynn was a proud member of The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Baton Rouge. She will be missed by many who loved her.
Link Anna Simkins Dr. Anna A. Simkins. of North Miami died on September 9, 2011 after a long illness. Dr. Simkins, originally from Charleston, SC, had been a Professor of Clothing and Textiles on the faculty of major universities in North Carolina and Maryland before her move to Miami. Her expertise was in the areas of African-American and Caribbean dress and adornment. During her 15 year involvement with the museum, Anna Simkins was a strong proponent of its education programs and was particularly enthusiastic when the museum launched a fashion design class for teens last fall. She is survived by her daughter Jeanne Simkins Hollis and son, Chris Simkins. Miami’s Museum of Contemporary Art will establish a children's program scholarship in her memory.
Link Frances Reeves Jolivette Link Frances Reeves Jollivette Chambers, mother of National President Link Regina Jollivette Frazier and grandmother of Link Rozalynn Frazier passed away October 3, 2011. Link Frances was a Platinum member and a 50-Year Member of The Links, Incorporated. She held the distinction of being a member of the first group inducted by the Greater Miami Chapter and she also served as Chapter President during the years 1972 - 1974. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the United Way of Miami-Dade County, Center for Excellence in Education in memory of Frances Reeves Jollivette Chambers ~ 3250 SW 3rd Avenue ~ Miami, Florida 33129.
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Link Rose McCoy The Jackson (MS) Chapter has lost a Charter and Alumna Member, Link Rose E. McCoy. Dr. Rose McCoy passed in the evening of October 4, 2011 in Norfolk, VA.
Link Lavalle C. Higgins The Charleston, SC chapter mourns the loss of Link Lavalle C. Higgins. Her Mass of Christian Burial was held September 28, 2011, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Final Commendation and Farewell: Live Oak Memorial Cemetery, 3093 Ashley River Road, Hwy 61, Charleston, SC, 29414.
Link Lucy McNeil The Fayetteville, NC chapter is mourning the passing of Link Lucy M. McNeill. Services were held on October 7, 2011.
Magic City Educates and Enlightens Artistic Talents with Acting Workshop Taught by Robin Givens Birmingham’s Magic City Chapter presented actress Robin Givens for an Art of Living acting workshop for children and adults at Miles College. Shown above Givens is responding to a question from a young actor. The acting class was held on Sunday, September 18, 2011, with 23 children and 24 adults participating. The photo originally appeared in the Birmingham News by photographer Bob Song.
*** NOTICE *** The deadline to pay your building assessment is November 30, 2011. Those not paying by the deadline will forfeit their membership effective December 1, 2011.
Chapter Presidents SAVE THE DATE
Please see your Chapter President for details.
Watch your email box for the call in number!
for the
November First Monday Exchange November 8, 2011 9 p.m. EST
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LL Links Friendshipand andservice Service LinksCan can Walk Walk for for Healthy Healthy Living Living Through through friendship
Heart Truth Campaign The purpose of the Walk for Healthy Living Program is to expand the annual Links Walk-A-Thon to incorporate walking as a way of life to promote health and wellness for The Links, their families and the communities they serve by participating in other annual walk-a-thons, sponsored by associations and organizations, such as the National Diabetes Association, the National Heart Association Walk, the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure and other local and national walks. Specific goals include: - Engage all Links to improve their health and the health of their families by committing to regular walking or other aerobic exercise and making daily healthy nutrition choices. - Educate our communities about the importance of physical activity and good nutrition in improving health and wellness by conducting seminars and developing and or distributing health promotion material. - Provide financial support to organizations that promote good health or prevent disease. - Enhance the visibility of The Links, Incorporated through participating in major events that attract media attention and publicity. These goals can easily be integrated into other facets of The Links; supporting the VISION of “eliminating disparities so as to reduce barriers to service through leadership and friendship by exemplary programming.” For more information, visit www.linksinc.org, and click on Programs, ational Trends and Services
Are you enjoying our new expanded format ? Pleaseplan plan to to make you Please you or or your your chapteraapart partof of furture future issues chapter issues andbecome become eligible eligible for and for the the
Southern Area’s
Newsmaker Award Winners will receive recognition at the Area Conference and a new CHAPTER CAMERA to keep up the good work 20
The Newsmaker Award eligibility will be on an ongoing point based system starting with this issue. - Points will be awarded for each Chapter contribution to Area and National publications. - Additional points will be given for local media publication including newspapers, radio, television and web. You are responsible for collecting and documenting your data for April 1st reporting.
Pictured (l-r): Rubye Adams, DoLores Washington, Dr. Cynthia Clarke, Dr. Adriene Wright, FMU Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Dr. Barbara Edwards, Dade County (FL) Chapter President, Dr. Henry Lewis III, FMU President, Betty Ferguson, Dr. Geneva Woodard, Priscilla Dobbs, Janis Sanders, and Luvernice Croskey.
Dade County Links Support HBCU with $10,000 Check MIAMI GARDENS – Members of the Dade County (FL) Chapter recently presented a $10,000 check to Florida Memorial University (FMU) President Dr. Henry Lewis III, to support scholarships at the university. The national arm of The Links, Incorporated has undertaken the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Initiative to implement and support efforts that align with President Barack Obama’s plan to increase the retention and graduation rates of students attending college by year 2020.
*** FACET ALIGNMENT IN ACTION - NATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES ***
Brunswick Chapter Speaks Out Against Bullying October is National Bullying Prevention Month. On October 10, 2011, members of the National Trends and Services Facet along with other members of the Brunswick Chapter (GA), presented “Students Against Bullying” bookmarks to students at Altama Elementary School. Principal Michelle Drew and Guidance Counselor, Stacy Short accepted the gifts for the students. A pledge is featured on the bookmark encouraging students to “Be A Kid Shown are FRONT (L-R) Charlie Atkinson, Chapter President Vivian Hope, Stacy Short, Michelle Drew, Against Bullying.” LaTosha French and Versie Thomas. (BACK) Rose Andrews and Caroline Everson.
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Jacksonville Links Donate $5,000 to River Region Human Services Shown above at the presentation are (L-R) Patricia Bivins, Geraldine Smith, Anest McCarthy, Betty Cody, Betty Davis, Glorida Belton, Marietta LeBlanc, Margaret Johnson, Jimminda Thompson and Kenyon Demps.
The Jacksonville Chapter celebrated the 39th anniversary of River Region Human Services with a generous donation to the social service organization. The Balloon Fest is a part of River Region’s month long celebration of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Guests enjoyed delicious food, networking
with other community members, and the chance to buy balloons to show their support. River Region Human Services provides treatment for HIV-AIDS, mental health, and substance abuse to citizens in the northeast Florida community
Jacksonville area Links in Pink for the cure
Shown above are membersof the Jacksonville and Bold City Chapter of Links at the Komen Race for the Cure. Jacksonville Chapter members are shown in the dark pink shirts.
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Jacksonville, FL - Members of the Jacksonville and Bold City Chapters (shown left) walked together in the Jacksonville area Susan. G. Komen Race for the Cure. The health conscious Links donned their pink T-shirts for the annual event that brings thousands to downtown Jacksonville to raise funds for breast cancer research. The three-mile trek included cheerleaders along the route and water. Chapter coordinators were Ann Gayle (Jacksonville) and Sylvia Perry (Bold City).
Camellia Rose Links Continue to Embrace the Atlanta Community
ATLANTA - Members of the Camellia Rose Chapter recently attended a tribute honoring playwright Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company. Leon wrote and produced the Broadway play “The Mountaintop” about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s final days. Shown at the tribute are honoree Kenny Leon, Link Glenda Walsh Hall, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and Link Sarita Catchcart-McLarin.
Camellia Rose Links (L-R) Miranda Mack Mckenzie, Marsha Edwards, Sheila Tenney and Pat Jones Young support Community Partners 100 Black Men of America Atlanta Football Classic Sept 24, 2011 at the Georgia Dome. Highlights of the day included the half-time show between FAMU and Southern University. 23
Southern Area Links Inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame
Link Johnnie B. Booker by Ruth Terrell During a lovely and inspiring evening this September 21, 2011, our Link Sisters Johnnie B. Booker and Brenda Hill Cole, both members of the Dogwood City Chapter (GA), joined a prestigious group of HBCU Alumni as they were inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame. This event highlights and honors deserving graduates of HBCUs by inducting them into the Hall of Fame for their distinguished service to their country, Alma Mater and excelling in their professional field and/or contribution to community and society. For the past 26 years, the Hall of Fame has recognized and celebrated the accomplishments of these giants in the fields of Arts & Entertainment, Athletics, Business & Industry, Community Service, Education, Faith & Theology, Government & Law, Medicine, Science and Lifetime Achievement, and Civil Rights. Link Johnnie B. Booker, a graduate of Hampton University, was inducted in the Business/Industry category. Ms. Booker joined the Coca-Cola Company in April 2001 as Director of Supplier Diversity. Under her leadership the company has consistently increased and exceeded its goals and its supplier diversity profile has continued to grow in dollars expended with minority and women owned business, and in global recognition. Link Johnnie has a distinguished career in executive positions in diversity and equal opportunity, which include service as
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Link Brenda Cole Vice President of the Resolution Trust Corporation, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Home Loan Bank and the National Urban League. Link Johnnie is also a graduate of the Atlanta University School of Social Work. Her son, S. Courtney Booker, III, her daughter-in-law Nissa, and two wonderful grandchildren, Dalyn and Aiden, bring her special joy. Link Brenda Hill Cole, a Spelman graduate, was inducted in the Law category. Link Brenda earned a master’s degree in Library science at Clark Atlanta University and the Juris doctorate degree from Emory University. Judge Cole was appointed Judge for the State Court of Fulton County in 1998 and has been re-elected to three subsequent terms. Active in her community and the recipient of numerous awards including the Spelman College 2001 Alumnae Achievement Award in Business and Law, and Emory University distinguished Alumni Award, Link Brenda also has honorary degrees from Wiley College and the Interdenominational Theological Center. Link Brenda and Connecting Link Dr. Thomas R Cole, Jr, President Emeritus of Clark Atlanta University, are parents of Thomas III, and Kelly S. Graham, and grandparents of Ava Margaret Graham. Let us celebrate our two outstanding Link sisters!
La Capitale Chapter
La Capitale Dedicates Wigs, Martinis & Bowties to Event Founder Link Lynn Dickerson Clayton, the chapter was grieving, yet energized and determined to ensure a successful affair to honor Link Lynn’s memory and vision. La Capitale surpassed every expectation! Connecting Link William Dickerson, and Link Lynn’s brother, Leonard Spearman, attended the event and were touched at the outpouring of love and support. Dressed in all black, accented with the 2011 “Warriors in Pink” scarf, members of La Capitale welcomed their guests to an event that could only be described as abundantly exceeded our expectations. Additionally, 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of the scarves goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a national partner of The Links, Incorporated. Guests were treated to “Lynn-tinis,” the signature drink of the night, as they enjoyed hors Pictured from L to R: Link Paula Clayton, Courtney Britton (Librarian & Research Center d’oeuvres and live music by The Coordinator, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge), Connecting Link William DickerThomas Brothers. The Arts facet coorson and Link Jacqui Vines. dinated decorations compliments of La Capitale Chapter presented “Wigs, and comfortable atmosphere. students from Winbourne Elementary Martinis, & Bow Ties,” a Cancer ServWigs, Martinis, and Bow Ties was the School, who displayed artful collars for ices of Greater Baton Rouge benefit, on idea of Link Lynn Dickerson, who the wig forms throughout the room. Friday, October 7, 2011, at the Manship served as La Capitale’s Program Chair. Members of La Capitale would like to Theatre Gallery/Shaw Center for the Sadly, Link Lynn was battling breast thank all the underwriters, donors, and Arts. Guests were asked to bring a wig cancer and passed away one month guests who helped create a successful to donate to Cancer Services’ Wig Bou- prior to the event. Under the direction event. tique, an important service offered to of President Jacqui Vines and Vicetheir clients to try on wigs in a private President/Fundraising Chair Paula
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FACTS FROM THE SOUTHERN AREA The Southern Area is home to seven National Presidents 5th) Helen Gray Edmonds 1970-1974 7th) Julia Brogdon-Purnell 1978-1982 8th) Dolly Deselle Adams 1982-1986 9th) Regina Jollivette-Frazier 1986-1990 11th) Patricia Russell-McCloud 1994-1998 12th) Barbara Dixon Simpkins 1998-2002 13th) Gladys Gary Vaughn 2002-2006
The first International Chapter is in Southern Area. It is in the Nassau, Bahamas and was chartered on May 20, 1989 The first chapter chartered in the Southern Area was Wilson-Rocky Mount-Tarboro (NC) on April 19, 1948 The Area’s newest Chapter is Miami Biscayne Bay (FL) chartered on June 30, 2010 There are presently 77 chapters in the Southern Area.
Bouquets and Best Wishes Marquita Furness Davis Appointed Finance Director for the State of Alabama BIRMINGHAM, AL - Link Marquita Furness Davis of the Birmingham Chapter was appointed Director of Alabama’s Finance Department by Governor Robert Bentley. She is the first female and second African American to hold this position in the state. She previously held the position
in the Governor’s Cabinet as Commissioner of the Department of Children’s Affairs. Link Davis was initiated into the Birmingham Chapter in 2010, and wasted no time in making a big impact. She has worked on and chaired various committees during her tenure in the organization. Link Marquita also serves on numerous civic and community boards and organizations including the Board of Directors for the United Way of Central Alabama and the boards of Birming-
ham’s McWane Science Center, YWCA of Central Alabama and American Village. She has over 20 years experience in higher education, non-profit service and state government. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, Link Marquita also was Director of the Office of School Readiness and Alabama’s voluntary pre-K program. Link Marquita Furness Davis is married to Connecting Link Michael A. Davis.
Tracie Collier Appointed Deputy Supervisor of Elections for Florida’s Largest County JACKSONVILLE, FL - While many in Jacksonville are still celebrating the election of Jacksonville’s first Black Mayor, ten year Elections Office veteran Tracie Collier, has been appointed Deputy Supervisor of the Duval County Elections Office. A five year member of the Bold City Chapter, the appointment expands her role from the former position of Director of Education and Communications. As the Deputy Supervisor, Link Tracie will be responsible for all duties and will act in the role of the Supervisor of Elections in the absence of Supervisor of Elections. The appointment makes her the highest ranking elections official of color in the state. At the age of 40, the position also makes her the youngest. In her position as Director of Education and Communica-
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tions, she was instrumental in making the voting experience positive and accessible to everyone. In her capacity, she trained thousands of elections representatives bringing standards to a new level. Her responsibilities also included the education and awareness of several hundred thousand voters in Duval County. If history proves to be a factor, the appointment positions Link Tracie for another trailblazing move. Prior to the special election of the current Supervisor of Elections to replace a deceased supervisor, for over two decades, the Supervisor of Elections Office has been won by former Deputies.
Save the Date The Pensacola Chapter of the Links invites their sisters in the Southern Area to the
2nd Annual Wine Tasting Soiree Celebrate the holidays at the 2nd Annual Wine Tasting Soiree and Silent Auction, Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the Emerald Grande Hotel and Resort, Harbor View Room, 10 Harbor Road, Destin, FL starting at 6 p.m. Ladies are asked to get into the holiday spirit by wearing their little green, red, or classic black dress. Link members are "going green" in honor of their organization's colors, the holidays and a renewed interest in environmental and health issues affecting our nation. The evening will include a wine tasting, jazz, silent auction and entertainment.
Saturday, December 3, 2011 Harbor View Room - The Emerald Grande Hotel at Harbor Walk Village 10 Harbor Road, Destin, FL 32514 Attire: Little Green Dress Donation: $ 45.00 pp Time: 6 - 9 p.m. Tickets: Linda Scott (850) 455-1079 Karyn Combs (850) 685-207 or D. Thomas (850) 478-0176 Proceeds from the Wine Tasting Soiree will benefit the Chapter's scholarship fund, Health/Wellness initiative and general programming.
65th Anniversary Celebration Washington, D.C. November 11-13
38th National Assembly June 27 - July 1, 2012 Orlando, Florida
Join your Link sisters from around the country for three full days of Linkdom including the grand opening of the National Headquarters, re-dedication services and the official gala starring Will Downing!
Celebrating 65 years of being linked in friendship, connected in service For more information, visit www.linksinc.org
sisterly excursions
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&
Resources Opportunities Free College for future Black Male Teachers Black Male Teachers are desperately needed. Do you know any Black Males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for FREE? The CALL ME MISTER program offered by 4 historical black colleges in South Carolina: Benedict College, Chaflin University, Morris College and South Carolina State University. Visit the www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htl for details and the online application or call 1-800-640- 2657.
Harvard offering tuition for low income families Harvard University is offering free tuition to families of HONOR STUDENTS with a family income less than $125,000 per year. The Harvard Financial Aid Initiative is for low and moderate income students and families are not expected to contribute to college costs. Home equity or retirement accounts are not considered a family contribution, and aid packages do not include any loans. A typical student may receive over $150,000 in Harvard scholarship assistance over four years and the majority of students receiving scholarship are able to graduate debt-free. The program continues to be generous for students across the economic spectrum, with more than two thirds of those receiving scholarships coming from families with incomes greater than $60,000. Visit http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do or call 617495-1581.
Minority students can get their MBA for free
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Wake Forest University has an opportunity for minority students to attend its MBA program for FREE, and so far, the response has been very poor. This is a tremendous opportunity to attend a top graduate school. Contact Dr. Derrick S. Boone, Associate Professor of Marketing, Rm. 3139 Worrell Professional Center, Babcock Graduate School of Management - Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109-8738. Email: derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu or visit www.wfu.edu or call (866) 925-3622.
Free Women’s Health Calendar The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health has created a free Women’s Health Calendar for 2012. The publication offers information about common health concerns for women, risk factors for disease, and ways to take charge of your health. It will help you stay organized and healthy. With so many ways to help you prioritize your health, you'll want to keep this handy, portable calendar with you all year round. Order this free publication online or call 800-994-9662 to order. Availability and quantities are subject to change. Their website states that orders are expected to begin shipping in December 2011 (subject to change). You can also order by visiting http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/calendar/order.cfm. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Free Healthy Soul Food Cookbook Heart Healthy Home Cooking African American Style - is a free cookbook offered by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Prepare your favorite African American dishes in ways that protect you and your family from heart disease and stroke. This cookbook provides recipes for 26 tested and tasty favorite African American dishes. Recipes give nutrient analyses that include carbohydrates and protein. Also covers heart healthy food substitutions and food safety. To order, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack/co oking.htm. or call 301-592-8573. Limit 10 per call.
As a pledge for my administration, we will have an open door policy for all Links. The Executive Committee is here to discuss everything from membership issues and facet questions to grant writing and protocol. If you have a question or concern for any of member of the leaderEneid ship team, feel free to contact us.
Southern Area Exec. Committee Directory Vice Director
Chair, Programs
Tamara Y. Lee Tuskegee (AL) Chapter vicedirector@salinksinc.org
Daisy R. Walker Charlotte (NC) Chapter programschair@salinksinc.org
Area Director: Eneid A. Francis Pontchartrain (LA) Chapter (H) 504.284.3660 (F) 877.284.3660 Southernareadirector@salinksinc.org
Chair, The Arts
Chair, Communications Sylvia Perry Bold City (FL) Chapter
asstprogramschair@salinksinc.org
Karyn M. Combs Pensacola (FL) Chapter artschair@salinksinc.org
Chair, National Trends & Services
Chair, Health & Human Services
Chair, Conference & Event Planning
Janice R. Nelson Bold City (FL) Chapter treasurer@salinksinc.org
Denise M. Cooper Savannah (GA) Chapter
Cori M. Brock Pontchartrain (LA) Chapter healthchair@salinksinc.org
Ruth H. Terrell Fayetteville (NC) Chapter conferencechair@salinksinc.org
Parliamentarian
Chair, Legislative Issues, Public Affairs and Disaster Relief
Secretary Anne T. Herriott Miami (FL) Chapter secretary@salinksinc.org
Treasurer
Rosalind Fuse-Hall Tallahassee (FL) Chapter parliamentarian@salinksinc.org
Chair, Nominating Committee Ophelia Nicholson Shreveport (LA) Chapter nominatingchair@salinksinc.org
Southern Area Rep. The Links Foundation, Inc. Bessie Isom Greater Mobile (AL) Chapter linksfoundationrep@salinksinc.org
Financial Secretary Charlotte Henderson Baton Rouge (LA) Chapter financialsec@salinksinc.org
Assistant Chair, Programs Mignon Breaux Early Greenville (SC) Chapter
nationaltrendschair@salinksinc.org
Marguerite Archie-Hudson Charleston (SC) Chapter publicaffairschair@salinksinc.org
Chair, Services to Youth Brenda T. Jamerson Orangeburg (SC) Chapter youthchair@salinksinc.org
Education Linkage Lucinda R. Sullivan Augusta (GA) Chapter educationchair@salinksinc.org
Chair, International Trends & Services Sharlyn Wilson Smith Nassau (Bahamas) Chapter internationaltrends@salinksinc.org
Chair, Ethics and Standards Selma Robinson-Ayers St. Petersburg (FL) Chapter ethicschair@salinksinc.org
communicationschair@salinksinc.org
Chair, Fund Development Ruth Waters McKay Bold City (FL) Chapter fundchair@salinksinc.org
Chair, Protocol
Chair, Organizational Effectiveness
June W. Michaux Durham (NC) Chapter protocolchair@salinksinc.org
Faye Hargrove Augusta (GA) Chapter
Chair, Rituals
effectivenesschair@salinksinc.org
Chair, Archives Kimberly Sweet LeFleur’s Bluff (MS) Chapter archiveschair@salinksinc.org
Chair, Awards and Recognition Maxine Smith Charleston (SC) Chapter awardschair@salinksinc.org
Juanda F. Maxwell Selma (AL) Chapter ritualschair@salinksinc.org
Chair, Technology Debra G. Lazare Baton Rouge (LA) Chapter techchair@salinksinc.org
Chair, Vendors Natille E. Duncan Jackson (MS) Chapter vendorschair@salinksinc.org
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Southern Area Communications Team REGION 1 JOY WALLACE St. Pete (FL) Florida, N. Carolina and the Bahamas
Inside AD VA N TAGE the
wallacejoy27@yahoo.com
REGION 2 KIM LaMOTTE La Capitale (LA) Louisiana, Georgia and S. Carolina khlamotte@gmail.com
REGION 3 NATILLE DUNCAN Jackson (MS) Mississippi & Alabama krossdun@yahoo.com
Debra Lazare and Kimberly Sweet Serving chapters in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina and the Bahamas
The Southern Area
ADVANTAGE
An E-Publication from the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated - Eneid A. Francis, Southern Area Director
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS We encourage you to submit your information by the 20th of the month for inclusion in future issues. Information can be sent from chapter members as well as Chapter Communications Chairs to their regional chair shown left. Members of the Area Communications Team are in contact with their various region’s chapter Communications Chairs to be sure a channel of communication is in place. Be in the Advantage 1. Stories/articles on your various programs. Please submit QUALITY high resolution photographs in .jpeg or .bmp format and details surrounding your program. If there are less than five people in the picture, please include names (L-R) for EVERYONE (including children) on the photo. “Cell phone” quality photos will not be published/accepted. 2. Upcoming dates. Is your chapter celebrating an anniversary, hosting a fundraiser or having a special event? Share the news with your sisters! You never know just who may come. Please be sure to include a contact number and email address for more information. 3. Post-event information. After your special events, please feel free to share your photos and details. 4. Going Places. Have you recently received a promotion? Celebrated a significant milestone? Getting married? Graduating? Expecting? Elected to public office? Retiring? We want to know! Please share with your Area sisters as we join in celebrating your accomplishment.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Volume 1
Isssue 1
Effecting Change Through the Power of Friendship and Service
Did you miss our first issue? Check it out on the Southern Area website at salinksinc.org.
Sisters of the Southern Area, thank you so much for your overwhelmingly positive response to the first issue of the Southern Area Advantage. We have received and heard your e-mails and phone calls and graciously accept your support. The completed presentation culminates a month of teamwork. Sisters on the Area Communications team worked hard within stringent deadlines and guidelines to showcase the best of Linkdom. That is a little of what we do within our chapters every month. Though we all have different ideas and lives with personal responsibilities, we work together for a common goal and we get it done! Each month we will strive to have something for everyone in The Advantage! And, as always, we welcome your suggestions and submissions. Our second issue focuses more on the inner workings of our chapters and programming. Sisters in the Southern Area are making their mark in the world by impacting lives individually, financially and creatively. Our goal is to motivate, enlighten and celebrate these accomplishments. Please encourage your sisters to take a look as we continue to make a difference in the Southern Area. ‘Til next month, Sylvia Perry
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