Our Story

On November 6, 1946, Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott, two young women from Philadelphia, gathered seven friends to establish a groundbreaking inter-city club. Their vision was to create an organization that met the unique needs and ambitions of black women, filling gaps left by existing groups. They aimed for their organization to embrace civic engagement, education, and cultural enrichment. The Links, Incorporated was born from these aspirations, dedicated to fostering cultural appreciation through the arts, nurturing community relations, and empowering women to embrace their civic duties.

Among the original eight members was Frances Atkinson, who had strong ties to St. Louis and served as corresponding secretary. Her sister later joined the St. Louis (MO) Chapter, which proudly stands as the fourth oldest chapter in Linkdom, chartered in April 1948. The chapter also made history as the first to hold an installation service, with Charlotte Ford serving as its inaugural president from 1948 to 1950. The group committed itself to annual charitable projects through fundraising efforts, embodying friendship through service. Today, The Links, Incorporated continues to expand its impact, linking communities locally, nationally, and internationally.