Chapter history
A group of dedicated and civic-minded ladies under the name of WIKS, succeeded with deliberation and planning in becoming affiliated with The Links, Incorporated. Exie B. Goode and Rose A. Hicks had been traveling to Tallahassee for several years for Chapter meetings and thus became the Pensacola (FL) Chapter organizers.
The New Orleans Assembly approved the establishment of the Pensacola (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and was chartered on November 25, 1972.
Anna J. Julian, Chair of The Links National Chapter Establishment Committee, and Gladys Wood, Southern Area Director were present for the installation of the Pensacola (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated chartering. Other guest attendees for the charter of the Chapter were Maude Reid and Carrie Mumford of the Greater Miami Chapter and Fannie Jones of the Montgomery Chapter.
The Charter members of the Pensacola (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated were Dolores Albury, Lois W. Anderson, Gladys Brown, Jewell (Broxton) Cartledge, Exie B. Goode, Sarah W. Haynes, Rose A. Hicks, Dorothy M. House, Elsie J. Jones, Georgette C. Jones, Gladys H. Oliver, Geraldine C. Scott, Mattie B. Warner, Annie B. Williams, and Lois Zaragoza.
In 1972 , the Chapter’s first officers: Rose A. Hicks, President, Exie B. Goode, Vice President, Dorothy M. House, Recording Secretary, Geraldine C. Scott, Corresponding Secretary and Gladys H. Oliver, Treasurer.
On the eve of the chapter’s second anniversary, the Pensacola (FL) Chapter held a second induction of five (5) members: Sybil J. Dedmond, Patience Hughes, Maude Jackson, Bernice Spencer, and Charlene Taite.
In June 1974, at the Washington, D.C. National Assembly, Dolores B. Albury was elected Area Secretary.
In 1975, Jewel A. Broxton was elected Pensacola Chapter of The Links, 2nd President. Under her leadership the Chapter sponsored workshops on drug abuse. The Service To Youth Committee served numerous youths in a tutoring program. There was special assistance provided to patients of Rosemount Nursing Home. A special gift was presented on Valentine’s Day and Christmas. The Arts Committee presented Celestine Cook, National Financial Secretary in a LINK-O-RAMA that brought the citizenry of Pensacola out in large numbers.
In 1977, Sarah W. Haynes was elected Pensacola Chapter of The Links, 3rd President. Under her leadership, an Arts Festival was held on February 12, 1978, featuring Rita McGlothen, soloist, and Ira V. Gates, artist. In 1978, the Pensacola (FL) Chapter of The Links was selected as one of the four (4) pacesetter chapters to make an Arts Presentation at the Chicago National Assembly.
On June 23, 1979, four (4) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter Links chain of friendship: Yvonne D. Boyd, Addie June Hall, Yvonne Kyle, and Ruth White.
In 1979 – 1982, Patience Hughes was elected Pensacola Chapter of The Links, 4th President. On April 4, 1980, President Patience Hughes was honored by the Florida Junior League with 20 twenty members and the coach. Personalized trophies and certificates of merit were presented to the honorees.
In 1981, at the Southern Area Conference, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links received the National Trends and Services Award.
In 1982 – 1984, Dolores B. Albury was elected as the Pensacola Chapter of The Links, 5th President.
In 1983, two (2) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of Friendship: Rita E. Jones and Reita J. Paul.
In 1984 at the National Assembly, Dolores B. Albury was elected as National Recording Secretary.
In 1984 - 1988, Yvonne D. Boyd was elected as the Pensacola Chapter of The Links, 6th President.
In 1986, three (3) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of friendship: Minnie C. Byrd, Antoinette B. Goodman, and Laurel W. Boyd.
In 1988, Dolores Albury was re-elected National Recording Secretary at the Nashville Assembly without opposition. Dolores Albury served 3 terms (1988-1994) as a Southern Area At-Large Member of The Links Foundation, Incorporated.
In 1988, Doris C. Muñoz, a charter member of The Arlington, Virginia Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, transferred into the Pensacola (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
In 1988 – 1992, Addie June Hall was elected as the Pensacola Chapter of The Links 7th President.
In 1990, two (2) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links Chain of Friendship: Lornetta T. Epps and Viola G. Harrison.
In 1992 – 1996, Dolores Albury was elected as Pensacola Chapter of The Links’s 8th president.
In 1993, three (3) women were inducted into the Chapter’s friendship chain: Saundra A. Daggs, Cheryl J. Howard and Anita P. Streeter.
In 1992, Corrie B. Mumford and Maude K. Reid transferred from the Greater Miami Chapter to the Pensacola Chapter of The Links.
In 1994 at the Louisville, Kentucky National Assembly, Lois W. Anderson was selected to serve on the National Rituals Committee.
In 1994, Evelyn DuBose transferred from the Farmington Valley Connecticut Chapter to the Pensacola Chapter of The Links.
In 1995, at the Southern Area Conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jewel Cartledge was selected to serve on the Protocol Committee.
In 1995, Ella Williams transferred from the Seattle Chapter of The Links to the Pensacola Chapter of The Links.
In 1996 - 2000, Laurel W. Boyd was elected as Pensacola Chapter of The Links, 9th President.
In 1997, six (6) women were inducted into the Chapter’s friendship chain: Millie S. Benjamin, Wendy Bennett, Mamie W. Hixon, Sandra B. Preer, Carol B. Tanksley, and Evelyn B. Walker.
In 1997, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links celebrated 25 years of friendship and service. The Chapter celebrated with two events: 1. 25th Anniversary Luncheon on March 15, 1997; featured guest speaker, Vivian W. Pinn, M.D., Director of Research on Women’s Health from the National Institutes of Health. 2. The 25th Anniversary Banquet, “Celebrating the Linkage of Love, Friendship and Service” was held at New World Landing on November 22, 1997.
In 1998, Pensacola Chapter of The Links, donated $10,000 to build one of 62 schools in South Africa. Our Chapter built the Ukuzamakwethu Junior Secondary School. Dolores Albury was present in South Africa for the dedication. The Chapter supported this school with supplies, electronic devices, and playground equipment.
In 2000 – 2004, Dr. Ella Williams was elected as Pensacola Chapter of The Links, 10th President.
In 2001, two (2) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of friendship: Linda Scott and Sheila Williams.
In 2003, two women were added to the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of friendship: Donna Bennett and Karyn M. Combs.
In 2003, at the Southern Area Conference in Birmingham, Alabama; the Pensacola Chapter of The Links received an International Trends and Services award for the project “Oh, The Places
You Will Go”.
In 2004 – 2008, Dr. Lornetta Epps was elected as Pensacola Chapter of The Links, 11th President.
In 2005, three (3) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of friendship: Shakita Sherman, Marion Parker, and Jamie Bristow.
In 2006, Penny Johnson transferred from the Hawaii Chapter of The Links to the Pensacola Chapter of The Links.
In 2006, the first program partnership and umbrella program were formed with The Christian Women’s Job Corp. The Chapter supported this program through mentoring, and monetary donations and provided cultural enrichment programs and events.
In 2007, four (4) women were added to the Pensacola Chapter of The Links Chain of Friendship: Kay Celeste Evans, Sharon Bourges-Jones, Jennifer Shaw, and Julia Elliott.
In 2009, Gail Shorter Judson transferred from the Monroe Gambling Chapter of The Links to the Pensacola Chapter of The Links.
On November 30, 2007, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links, Incorporated celebrated 35 years of friendship and service with a banquet at Heritage Hall.
In 2008 – 2012, Evelyn Walker was elected as Pensacola Chapter of The Links 12th President.
In 2009, three (3) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of friendship and service: Carla Scott Jones, Mary Dillon, and Drucilla Thomas.
In 2010, Jacqueline Johnson transferred from the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of the Links to the Pensacola Chapter of The Links.
In 2011, Vivian Green was inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links Chain of
Friendship.
In 2012, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links, Incorporated celebrated its 40th Anniversary with two celebrations. On February 4, 2012, an Emerald Brunch was held at the Saenger Theater with a public form on Childhood Obesity Prevention and Heart Health led by guest speakers from Jackson Mississippi: Dr. Edith Rayford, OB-GYN, and Dr. Richard Rayford, Cardiologist. Continuing the celebrations, the public was given tickets to attend the matinee play presented and directed by Mr. Leroy Williams at the Saenger Theater. The Pensacola Chapter of The Links presented Mr. Leroy Williams, Director of Pensacola Community Arts and Recreation Association, with the Chapter’s first Community Service Award.
In 2012 – 2016, Sharon Bourges-Jones was elected as Pensacola Chapter of The Links, 13th President.
In February 2013, The Red Dress Jazz Brunch was initiated Pensacola Chapter of The Links a program fundraiser and held at New World Landing. The partnership was established with Baptist Hospital Cardiology and Boston Scientific Cardiology. A thousand-dollar donation was given to the American Heart Association. The Community Service Award was given to the Director of Milk & Honey.
In 2013, nine (9) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of friendship and service: Theresa Celestine, Fernaunda Ferguson, Shelia Grimes, Cheryl Jefferies, Ann Jenkins, Sandra McCreary, Catherine Powell, and Barbara Smith.
In 2015, three (3) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of friendship and service: Phyllis N. Enzor, Valerie Houston, and Jannie Smith.
In 2015, Cynthia Samuelson transferred from the Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links to the Pensacola (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
In 2016 – 2020, Dr. Karyn M. Combs was elected as Pensacola Chapter of The Links 14th President.
On May 27, 2017, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links held an Alumna Celebration for Millie S Benjamin, Minnie Clark Byrd, Evelyn DuBose, Viola Gibson Harrison, Phyllis (Penny) Laverne Johnson, Doris Collins Muñoz, Cynthia C. Samuelson, Carol B. Tanksley, and Evelyn Walker after chapter meeting at Landry’s Restaurant.
In December 2017, Dr. Laurel Boyd became a Platinum Link, the highest honor in Linkdom.
On May 20, 2018, six (6) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of friendship and service: Glenda Alford Atkins, Jill Barfield, Dr. Anita Choice, Natalie Hardeman, Temeka Hayes, and Dr. Kim LeDuff.
December 31, 2018 & 2019, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links held the Inaugural Diamonds and Pearls Ball to support the Chapter’s Operational initiatives. Saundra Daggs chaired this successful event.
In 2019, at the Southern Area Conference, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links was recognized for outstanding programming “Achiever to Believers”.
In 2018 & 2019, the Chapter engaged in Inaugural “Love Thy Neighbor” initiatives: Annual Golf Outing with Golf Pro Adrian Stills at Osceola Municipal Golf Course and Springtime by the Bay and Monthly White Rose Award for Chapter members.
In September 2019, Glenda Atkins, Karyn Combs, and Shelia Grimes participated in the Dixon Showcase at the Hilton to support the students in a Karaoke Act of “Reach Out & Touch” and won 3rd Place.
February 27, 2020, Pensacola Chapter of The Links Go Red for Women Healthy Hearts Jazz Brunch. Mistress of Ceremony, Sue Straughn, WEAR-TV personality. Community Service Award: Pastor Andrew Thom. Donation of $1000 to American Heart Association.
In 2020 – Present, Shelia W. Grimes was elected as Pensacola Chapter of The Links 15th President.
On September 20, 2020, four (4) women were inducted into the Pensacola Chapter. The Links chain of friendship and service: Dr. Cheryl Howard, Stephanie Powell, Eladies Sampson, and Shirley Stanley.
June 2020 was the inaugural partnership with Gulf Coast Goodwill “Suit Up for Success” in Fort Walton Beach, FL. The Chapter provided 35 women with gently used clothing, shoes, and jewelry to women who were preparing to go into the workplace and others who needed clothing. In April 2021, the Chapter hosted a second “Suit Up for Success” event.
In September 2020 – present, partnered with Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Future to present virtual dental health training for students, K-5th grade at Dixon School of The Arts and Sciences in Pensacola and Wright Elementary. This program supports Links National Oral Health Initiative.
From September 2020 - March 2021, participated in the Southern Area All-Star Program. The goal of the All-Stars program was to drive alignment throughout Linkdom in two key areas of the organization: 1. Community Service and 2. Chapter Operations.
In September 2020, the inaugural publication of the Chapter’s Quarterly Newsletter, “The Heart Beat”.
September 2020, inaugural presentation of two (2) $250 Class Act Scholarship to Senior Engineering Students at Tuskegee University:
November 2020, the Chapter’s Inaugural Friendship Ceremony with Milestone Recognition Awards to 12 members: Link Gail Judson – 35 years, Link Laurel Boyd- 30 years, Saundra Daggs – 25 years, Link Linda Scott – 20 years, Link Karyn Combs – 15 years, Link Mary Dillon – 10 years, Links Vivian Green, Theresa Celestine, Shelia Grimes, Ann Jenkins, Sandra McCreary, and Catherine Powell – 5 years.
December 13, 2020, Virtual Inaugural Artistic Connection Event with 102 quests in attendance. Connecting Link Chelsey Powell was the Master of Ceremony. Featured Violinist, Bruce Kirkwood and Dixon School of The Arts and Science dance performance was the entertainment. The program included a silent auction of Dixon School of The Arts & Science Art, donations from Dillard’s, Kay Jewelers, Newman Dailey Resort Vacations, and the African American Heritage Society of Pensacola.
February 2021, Pensacola Chapter Links became an agent to legally register voters.
February 27, 2021, Pensacola Chapter Links held a Virtual Go Red for Heart Health Jazz Brunch with 100 quests in attendance. The Mistress of Ceremony was Sue Straughn, WEAR- TV News Anchor & Senior Editor. Guest health panel: Dr. Pelbreton C. Belfour & Dr. Mary B. Mehta. Jazz entertainment was by saxophonist, Austin Paul, Jr., Community Service Award was presented to Pastor Larry Boldin of Striving 4 Perfection in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Performance by Dixon School of The Arts & Science. Presentation of $1000 to American Heart Association to Inger Alderfer, regional manager for American Heart Association. Sponsors for event: Cox Communications, Gulf Power Companies, Dr. Karyn Combs, Denny’s, and Tasha McGhee.
March 2021, Pensacola Chapter Links gave $350 to the Southern Area One Mission, One Love initiative to support the Watford Hill Academy in Jamaica.
March 8, 2021, the Pensacola Chapter of the Links Incorporated was approved by the Division of Elections as a Third-Party Voter Registration Organization.
March 13, 2021, ten (10) members of the Pensacola Chapter of The Links attended the Virtual Southern Area Links Day at the Capitol.
March 31, 2021, National Trends & Services held a Healthy Homestead Zoom with Attorney Sean Seely of Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
In October 2021, Dr. Cheryl Howard transferred to the Willington Delaware Chapter of The Links.
In December 2021, Jill Barfield was appointed as Southern Area Technology Chair.
December 2021, Ms. Jordan Shipp from Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach received the Pensacola Chapter Links Essay Scholarship award.
January 8, 2022, Pensacola Chapter Links partnered with Northwest Florida Community Health in Pensacola, FL with a SA Program “Mask Up to Protect” grant. Pensacola being a low vaccination but high COVID-19 area, advertisement via electronic billboard, WEAR-TV, and 106 Radio helped to promote citizens’ call and register for vaccines and boosters. This was a booked-out event of 300 people to receive COVID-19 vaccines and boosters with Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer. Each vaccine guest received a $25 Visa gift card.
February 12, 2022, Pensacola (FL), Gulf Coast (MS), and Mobile (AL) chapters partnered to present to citizens in the Tri-States to attend a Virtual “Redstravaganza – Links in Red, Links Sharing Hearts”. Ms. Sue Straughn, WEAR-TV personality was Mistress of Ceremony. Our panel of doctors: Dr. Pelbreton C. Balfour, Jr., Cardiologist, Baptist Hospital, Marshea Liddell, Nurse Practitioner, Digestive Health Center, Tamyah Brice, Nutrition Education, Ariel Bettis, Choreography.
March 2022, Pensacola Chapter Links provided three (3) $500 Class Act Scholarships to FAMU Pharmaceutical School: Fionna Washington, Kayla Simmion, and Garry Phillippe.
April 3, 2022, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links partnered with Life Quest Donor for Life at the Brooks Bridge and painted the bridge in honor of Donor for Life Month.
In May 2022, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links provided a $1,000 Essay Scholarship Winner to Ms. Natalie Mercado of Pensacola High School in Pensacola, Florida.
On May 28, 2022, three (3) women were inducted to the Pensacola Chapter of The Links chain of friendship and service: Tasha Avery, Adrienne Green, and Vanessa Harrington.
In June 2022, the Pensacola Chapter of The Links provided a $ 200 scholarship for student tuition to attend the Kukua Institute Summer Engineering program, a $100 donation to Sickle Anemia Foundation, and a $100 donation to Okaloosa County NAACP.
August 2022, National Multi-cultural Donor Awareness Month – Pensacola Chapter Links’ President, Shelia Grimes provided a public service announcement for Life Quest Florida on Real Women Radio.
November 2022, President Shelia Grimes introduced The Links, Incorporated President Ethel Issac Williams, and Southern Area Director Sylvia Carter Perry as guest speakers for the Pensacola (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Virtual 50 th Anniversary – Honoring our Past. Appreciating our Present. Shaping our Future. The 50 th Anniversary was dedicated to living Charter member Geraldine Christy Scott, who was introduced by Alumna member, Minnie Byrd. Dr. Vivian Green was the Mistress of the Ceremony Ms. Roslyn Brock of the Columbus (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated provided the Innovation. Community Partner, Bernard H. Johnson, Jr., Regional Manager of Florida Power & Light of Florida provided support for the event, Vaneesa Harrington served as awards and entertainment hostess, and Glenda Alford Atkins coordinated the event’s “Fashion Through The Years (1972-2022)” with fashions provided by Dillard’s of Mary Esther, FL and moderated by Shamonee Baker, WKRG Journalist, Mobile, AL, and Anchor/ Public Affairs Manager WEAR-TV News, Sue Straughn produced a segment with Links (Dr. Laurel Boyd, Past President and Platinum member, Saundra Daggs, Alumna, Ann Jenkins, Vice President, and Stephanie M. Powell) on Honoring Links Past, Appreciation Links Present, and Shaping Links Future.
THE ARTS
✔ Pensacola Arts Festival
✔ Sponsored the Inaugural program of The African American Heritage Society
✔ Co-sponsor of Margaret A. Harris, pianist, conductor, and composer
✔ Do-sponsor “Black Women Against the Odds” exhibit at Pensacola State College
✔ Sponsored exhibit “The African Presence in The Americas” for The African American
Heritage Society
✔ Organized and supported an African American Dance Troupe
✔ Supported The Saenger Theater Renovation Project
✔ Southern Area Artist Noir
✔ National Signature Program – Classic Through the Ages
NATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
✔ Conducted “Diabetes Today” Workshop for diabetic foot care
✔ Breast Cancer Awareness Program
✔ Provided $$2000 to Baptist Hospital for indigent mammograms
✔ Parenting Workshop Series
✔ NAACP Life Member
✔ Holiday Cheer for residents of local nursing homes
✔ Umbrella program with The Christian Women’s Job Corps
✔ Financial Literacy Workshop
✔ AARP programs for senior citizens
✔ Approved as a Third-Party Voter Registrant
✔ Healthy Equity Ambassador Program in partnership with Member’s First Credit Union
SERVICES TO YOUTH
✔ Provided landscape for the Pensacola Boys Club
✔ Sponsored Little League baseball team
✔ Provided uniforms for the Little League baseball team and Boy Scouts
✔ Provided tickets for indigent youth to attend concerts
✔ Purchased books for Reading is Fundamental
✔ Scholarships to Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida
✔ Tutored and Mentors for Dixon School of The Arts & Sciences
✔ Support for foster children entering adulthood
✔ Support for Milk and Honey after-school program
✔ Reading and tutoring support to O.J. Semmes Elementary School in Pensacola
✔ Mentor and reading for Pre-School children at Gibson Head Start in Pensacola
✔ Southern Area Love HBCU and SA Class Act by providing scholarship funds
✔ Connecting Threads National initiatives by creating Quits with Dixon School of the Arts
and Sciences
✔ Engage with Dixon School of Arts & Sciences and O. J. Semmes to submit in Links
National Poster Art Competition
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
✔ Childhood Obesity Umbrella Project at Boys and Girls Club- Childhood Obesity Prevention
✔ National Donor Sabbath (November) - organ donor presentations at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Pensacola, and Gregg Chapel in Fort Walton Beach, FL, and others.
✔ Annually participated in National Initiative: Walking for Healthy Living. In 2023, partnered with the Greater Mobile Alabama Chapter in this initiative.
✔ Annually participated in the Breast Cancer Walk A Thon in Pensacola as Links in Pink. Also raised thousands of dollars to support Breast Cancer.
✔ Supported the National Oral Health Initiative in partnership with Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures through virtual presentations during COVID-19 with Dixon School of the Arts and Sciences and Wright Elementary in Fort Walton Beach, FL. In 2023, Colgate traveled to Fort Walton Beach to provide education and dental screens for Bruno Middle School, Pryor Middle School, North Okaloosa School, The Richbourg School, and Okaloosa Academy.
✔ Links provided Help for Humanity: Women Survival Kits in Bahamas and Toilets for Haiti
in 2021.
✔ Annual supported National Mental Health Initiatives
✔ National Donate Life Month (April)- Annual Graffiti Bridge Paint
✔ National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month (August) PSA provided by Life Quest/Donate Life in partnership with Real Women Radio and Pensacola Chapter Links
✔ 2023 Participated and recognized by the National Kidney Foundation for our support.
✔ 2023 engaged with the Rehabilitation Center in Pensacola, FL, with The Links, Incorporated 1st National Black Family Wellness Expo
✔ February is the Pensacola (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, annual Red Dress Event which is a fundraiser to Support the American Heart Association. This event historically showcases the artwork and modern dance of partner schools such as the Dixon School of The Arts and Science.
INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
✔ Donated to the African Water wells project
✔ Adopted and supported two (2) African children
✔ Adopted and supported Ethiopian refugee family in Pensacola until children graduated
from high school
✔ Donated to Haiti Refugee Center in Miami
✔ Provided Blankets of Hope
✔ Donated $10,000 to build a primary school in South Africa
✔ Participated in the Multicultural Festival, Pensacola Museum of Art
✔ Provided financial support and purchased desks for Aletha’s Hope in Liberia
✔ Partnered with a native African photographer to produce a video of students at Aletha Hope at school and in play. We then shared this educational tool with the schools we support.
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