Tallahassee Linkdom Tallahassee (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
A Message from Madame President Greetings! Without a doubt, members of the Tallahassee (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, have had a very busy summer. Since the last chapter meeting May (beautifully hosted at the FAMU Black Archives by Loretta Flowers), chapter members have attended an informative (and fun-filled) Southern Area Conference in Birmingham. New Area Officers were elected, beginning with a new Area Director, Anne T. Herriot, who announced her theme as “Embracing Our Legacy, Fulfilling Our Promise.” Unarguably, the most exciting news announced at the Conference (at least as far as the Tallahassee Chapter was con-
cerned) pertained to our chapter programs. Due to our diligent and hard-working members, the Tallahassee Chapter received three awards at the Program Luncheon: third place in Umbrella Programming; the Legacy Award in The Arts; and the Legacy Award in Umbrella Programming. CONGRATULATIONS to all chapter members for supporting these exemplary programs. The chapter also completed its first ever STEAM Café at Raa Middle School and its second annual Girls Enrichment Camp. Both programs focused on young people and, based upon the formal and informal evaluations, were overwhelming successes. Again, CONGRATULATIONS to all chapter members! This year is the 65th year of community service and friendship provided by the Tallahas-
see Chapter. To celebrate this milestone, the very busy 65th Anniversary Committee has planned an Anniversary Brunch for Saturday, May 21, 2016, at which time various individuals and organizations who have been invaluable to the success of our chapter will be honored. Stay tuned for more information! While kudos, awards, and celebrations are always welcome, the chapter cannot afford to rest on its laurels. There is still much work to be done in our community. Consequently, I am looking forward to yet another exciting and productive year in Linkdom and hope you do as well. Let’s fill the entire year with valuable and important contributions to our community! Debra Austin President
International Trends St. Maarten Luncheon International Trends and Services (ITS) has initiated a new year with new approaches to the program. During our visit to St. Maarten last year in consultation with parents and education officials, it was recommended that we have our annual function with the students earlier than November. Accordingly, we had a fantastic luncheon on September 19, 2015 at the Lincoln Center.
Approximately twenty St. Maarten students attended the luncheon whose theme was “Know and Enjoy Tallahassee..” The speaker was Ashley Edwards, Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods, City of Tallahassee. She shared a wealth of information. Special thanks to the City of Tallahassee for providing the speaker, facility, meal and selected gift items. ITS provided each student
with a copy of a local publication of a massive listing of businesses, events and services and a local restaurant gift coupon. Also the students each addressed an envelope to their parents to be used for ITS to send copies of the publication to their parents. As always, the gathering with the St. Maarten students, City of Tallahassee officials, and members of the chapter was enjoyable!
Volume , Issue Inside this issue: STEAM Café
2
Summer Enrichment Camp
2
Link in the Limelight Clinita Ford
3
Platinum & Alumna Corner 4 Birthday Corner
4
Upcoming Events October 15
STEAM Café
October
Media Breakfast
November 1
Friendship Month
November 7
Chapter Meeting
November 19
STEAM Café
December 5
Riley House Rock-aThon (Riley Museum)
December 6
Elegant Timeless Holiday Affair (Cascades Park)
January 9, 2016
Chapter Meeting
January 17
Beautillion Green Coat Ceremony (Capital City Country Club)
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Tallahassee Linkdom
Presenting the STEAM Café
The STEAM Café, an inaugural program of the Tallahassee (FL) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated in partnership with Raa Middle School, designed to introduce students to the science, technology, engineering, art and math that is in the world around us. Kick-off – “STEM: What’s It all about?” An introduction into the interconnectedness of Science, Engineering and Math in our everyday lives, the students also created rockets to discuss gravity and physics. Week 2 - The Tallahassee Museum A tortoise and its habitat was used
to show the connectedness of Science and Engineering, how taking care of animals and making sure that they live in a specially designed environment that promotes animal health/well-being. Week 3 - Sports Medicine
The science behind the treatment of orthopedic injuries sustained by athletes incorporated Science and Technology. The presentation included a discussion of model treatment plans and a hands-on demonstration of certain treatments. Final Week - FIELD TRIP A visit to the Regional Transportation Management Center for a tour and discussion about how the traffic center works to address regional traffic needs/concerns, incorporating Technology and Engineering. Service to Youth’s Co-Chairs Deana McAllister and Opal McKinneyWilliams announced this year’s program will kick-off with 24 students on Thursday, September 24th.
Preparing the Next Misty Copeland The National Trends and Services facet of the
student at Richards High School); Etiquette (R. Jai
After the performances, the girls shared some of
Tallahassee (FL) Chapter of the Links, Incorpo-
Gillum, Chapter Member and First Lady of Talla-
their experiences and what they learned during
rated hosted a Summer Enrichment Camp for
hassee, Florida); Financial Literacy (Dr. Friday-
the camp.
middle school girls for a second year in a row.
Stroud, Dean of the School of Business and Indus-
Photo caption: R. Jai Gillum, Etiquette Workshop
Each day started with affirmations followed by
try at Florida A&M University); Black Lives Matter
Presenter, Summer Enrichment participants and
dance lessons. The dance lessons were taught by
(Mr. Walter McNeil, Former Tallahas-
a professional dance instructor from World Bal-
see Chief of Police).
let. The girls then participated in workshops and
The culminating activity on the final
writing exercises, each girl kept their own per-
day was the ballet performance in
sonal journal.
front of their parents, family, friends
The workshops conducted were on: Nutrition (Dr.
and members of the Tallahassee
Penny Ralston, Chapter Member and Professor,
Links, Inc. A special treat included
Dean Emeritus, at Florida State University and
the performance by a little girl who is
Zanani Johnson, International Baccalaureate
training to be a professional dancer.
Page 3
Link in the Limelight ~ Clinita Eloise Arnsby Ford Tell us about your family (parent’s name, any siblings, spouse, children, where you are from, etc): I was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to Clinton and Anita Arnsby. The combination of their first names is my name, Clinita. No siblings. Not only the only child of my parents, but I am the only child on both sides of the family. I never had a “first cousin”. My husband is James Richard Ford, Sr. We married 5 months after initial introduction to each other. The marriage has lasted 64+ years (May 27, 1951). Our children, all adults, are James Richard Ford, Jr., Janita Maria Ford Patrick, and JaKathryn Ellouise Ford Ross. James, Jr. is a Card Analyst with a local business firm and also a Sterile Processing Technician at a local hospital. Janita (inducted in the Oklahoma City Links Chapter) is the Dean of Student Services at Richardson Community College in Dallas, Texas. JaKathryn (inducted in the Atlanta Magnolia Chapter of Links) is the Executive Director of Youth Entrepreneurs Georgia and Senior Director of Community Affairs at Georgia-Pacific in Atlanta, Georgia. Where did you attend school? Degrees or other education? I attended 1-12 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Dr. Mary Roberts and I lived one block from each other. One of her sisters was my classmate. Her mother was my piano teacher. We all belonged to the same church and sometimes walked together to Sunday School and again in the evening to BYPU. Link Mary was not included as she was much younger than us. I graduated from high school at the age of 15 and entered Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. There I received my B.S. Degree in Vocational Home Economics. Graduating from college at the age of 19, my parents felt that no one would hire me in a professional position at that age so they sent me directly to graduate school at TCColumbia University in New York City. There I received the M.S. Degree in Foods & Institutional Management. What about your career…what kind of work do you do, for whom, and for how long? At the ripe age of 20, I joined the faculty of Florida A & M College (FAMCee). It later became University (FAMU). Most of my students were my elders. After ten years on faculty I decided to pursue the doctoral degree. FSU was not accepting black students at that time. The State of
Florida paid for me to leave and attend wherever I wished. With that opportunity I chose a Big 8 School, a level which FSU never obtained. I chose Kansas State University. I was away for three years from my job, my home, my husband and my baby (2 yrs old when I left). An added burden is that in those days we did not have Sabbatical Leave. I pulled money out my retirement fund and met the challenge. In 1959 I received the PhD Degree in Nutrition & Biochemistry. I returned to FAMU as Dean of School of Home Economics. Other related educational aspects of my life include: Registered Dietitian, Licensed Real Estate Salesman and Broker, Licensed Mortgage Broker, Certified Housing Counselor and Certified International Event Planner. Also the event planner training included internships at Sheraton, Hilton, Marriott and Westin Hotels. I learned a lot about the back-room administrative strategies. Such knowledge has been advantageous in my personal travels and conference planning. My professional career was all at FAMU. I retired after 50 years. I never changed jobs. My career at FAMU was 1949-1999. During that time I worked under seven Presidents, two were Interim. I now have the title Professor Emeritus. When and where were did you become a member of The Links, Incorporated? I was inducted in 1971 in the Tallahassee Chapter. I have not held membership in any other chapter. What attracted you to The Links? I was attracted to Links after they contacted me for membership. The letter was a surprise to me. The member who sponsored me identified herself and provided me with information. I liked what I found out about The Links; that they were distinguished ladies bound together in friendship and highly selective in who they invited to membership. This gave me an elevated feeling. Back then (1971) the Heir-o-Link membership privilege did not exist. I came in under regular voting procedure. In fact we did not have the term “Heir-o-Link” until the 80’s. The children of Links were called Bob-o-Links. My mother and aunt were both Links in Oklahoma. What is your involvement in the Tallahassee Chapter? My involvement in the local chapter has included 44 years of uninterrupted membership. During this time I have served in offices of President 3 times, Vice
-President, Treasurer and Parliamentarian. I have chaired Arts, National Trends & Services, Services to Youth and International Trends & Services Facets; and Executive, Ethics, Budget and Bylaws Committees. I have served on the Membership. Protocol and Fund Development Committees. I chaired the chapter’s 60th Anniversary Celebration. Currently I am in my 13th year as Chair of International Trends & Services. Additionally, I was elected and served 4 years (19881992) as National Treasurer of The Links, Inc. I have also been accorded Platinum status, the highest honor presented by our National organization. What other organizations are you a member of? Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc; American Dietetic Association (Life); American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (Life); Association for Institutional Research (Emeritus Life); National Association of Mortgage Brokers; National Association of Realtors; Omicron Nu Honor Society; Phi Delta Kappa Education Fraternity; Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society What honors or awards have you received? Distinguished Alumni Award (Kansas State University); Alumni Achievement Award (Lincoln University-MO); Distinguished Service Award (American Home Economics Association); One Hundred Outstanding People of the Century (FAMU); 100 Black Women Leaders (Black Issues in Higher Education); Outstanding Black College Alumni Award (National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education); 1890 Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award (USDA); Inductee National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame; 20 Black Outstanding Women in the Nation (Issues in Higher Education); Teacher of the Year (FAMU); Professor Emeritus (FAMU). LISTINGS : American Men and Women of Science; Outstanding Educators of America; Personalities of the South; Strathmore Who’s Who; Who’s Who in American Education; Who’s Who of American Women. Special Note: I was the first African-American Chair of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. What hobbies do you have or what do you like to do in your spare time? International Travel, Reading and Developing Creative/Innovative ideas. Do you have a life philosophy or something/ someone who inspires you? Don’t worry about the things you can’t do anything about and live everyday as if it is your last, because it might be.
Tallahassee Chapter ~ Platinum & Alumna Corner Let us continue to strengthen our chain of friendship. Please reach out and connect with our beloved Platinum and Alumna Members.
DOROTHY BRICKLER (1975) Platinum & Alumna Member
CLINITA FORD (1971) Platinum and Active Member
ALTHA MANNING (1981) Alumna Member
BETTYE STEVENS (1975) Platinum and Alumna Member
Geri Roberts (1980) Platinum and Active Member BESSYEE WASHINGTON(1975) Alumna Member
Links Leadership MARY KIDD (2000) Alumna Member
MARY ROBERTS (1975) Alumna Member
Birthday Corner: September ● October ● November ● December September 01: Bessyee Washington 23: Clinita Ford 23: Gloria Gant October 14: Jane Marks 24: Ada Burnette
26: Opal McKinney-Williams November 02: Mary Henry 24: Dorothy Williams
Glenda Newell-Harris, M.D. National President Anne T. Herriott Southern Area Director Debra Austin, Ed.D. Chapter President Kimberly D. Hankerson Public Relations Chairman
December 17: Betty Stevens 28: Janet Gibson
Florida’s First Links