Our Story.
Chapter beginnings
The Ann Arbor (MI) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated traces its beginnings to an interest group meeting organized by Virginia Ellis on June 16, 1978. Ellis, who would serve as the chapter's first president, invited several women to her home to initiate the group's development.
The chapter was officially established on March 10, 1979, at Weber's Inn in Ann Arbor. The thirty-two charter members represented the educational, political, social, cultural, and economic core of the African American community in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area. The installing officer was Julia Purnell, National President of The Links, Incorporated, and sister to charter members Sadie Blackwell and Christine Gilchrist. The chapter's official sponsor was Allene Rayford of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the unofficial sponsor was Ann Johnson Julian.
As one of ten Links, Incorporated chapters in the State of Michigan, the Ann Arbor (MI) chapter is an active part of the Central Area Region.
Charter Members
First Row: Zerilda Palmer, Juanita E. Bradley, Christella Moody, Anne Lucas, Virginia W. Ellis (President), Julia Purnell (Ninth National President), Letitia J. Byrd, Rosetta C. Wingo, Barbara E. Meadows, and Josephine G. Owens
Second Row: Christine Gilchrist, Hazel M. Turner, Shirley Dorsey Martin, Mary Hamilton, Henri M. Parker, Rose Gibson, Delores A. Anderson, Carolyn A. Boyd, Sadie B. Blackwell, Gloria Horne, Frances H. Vaughn and Betty W. McDonald
Third Row: Frances Watts, Virginia B. Bailey, Ida R. Edwards, Rebecca Vaughan, Burnita Cash, Christina W. Neal, Lola M. Jones, Gwendolyn C. Baker and Allene Rayford (Vice President, Baton Rouge Chapter)
Past Chapter Presidents
1978-1991 Virginia Ellis
1981-1983 Christina Neal
1983-1985 Bettye McDonald
1985-1987 Hazel Turner
1987-1989 Rosetta Wingo
1989-1990 Barbara Meadows
1990-1992 Letitia Byrd
1992-1993 Virginia Bailey
1993-1995 Nora Martin
1995-1996 Christella Moody
1996-1998 Willie Edwards
1998-2001 Ann Hampton-Hawkins
2001-2003 Bella Parker
2003-2005 Jan Collins-Eaglin
2005-2007 Laurita Thomas
2007-2009 Sandra Harris
2009-2011 Patricia Manley
2011 -2015 Cleopatra Caldwell
2015-2019 Linda King
2019–2021 Wendy Woods
2021–2025 Lisa Bradley Kern