Skip to main content
COLLECTION Identifier: MC 1004

Records of the Links, Inc. Boston Chapter, 1955-2021

Overview

Collection consists of official documents of Boston Chapter of Links, Inc., photographs, financial material, and committee files.

Dates

  • Creation: 1955-2021

Language of Materials

Materials in English.

Access Restrictions:

Access. Collection is open for research. Folders #9.1-9.16 require written permission until February 1, 2022.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright. Copyright in the records created by Links, Inc. Boston Chapter is held by he President and Fellows of Harvard College for the Schlesinger Library. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. However, for as long as Links, Inc. exists as an organization, permission to publish must be obtained in writing from the chapter president.

Copying. Papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures.

Extent

6.88 linear feet ((6 file boxes, 1 folio box, 2 supersize boxes) plus 4 photograph folders, 1 supersize folder, and 1 archived web site)
3.3 Megabytes (3 files)

The Records of Links, Inc., Boston Chapter contain historical and administrative files including bylaws, minutes and correspondence of past officers; and committee files of both standing and program facet committees designed to serve African American committees in the Boston area.

Series I, HISTORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE, 1955-20218 (#1.1-3.1, 9.1-9.16, PD.1-PD.4, 6FB.1m-6FB.3m, 7SB.1, 8SB.2, SD.1, E.1-E.4), consists of official documents of The Links, Inc. including bylaws and constitution; manuals of Code of Ethics and Policy, and procedures; agendas and minutes from chapter meetings; calendars of events; chapter newsletters, and correspondence of past treasurers and presidents. Historical information files, previously housed in binders, include agendas, meeting notes, committee reports, programs and events, correspondence (local, regional, and national), and remembrances and recognitions of Links members. Photographs of charter members, events including "Day at the Races," induction ceremonies, installation of new officers, and regional and national meetings are also included. Folders #9.1-9.16, containing clippings, flyers, agendas, minutes, and other materials, were added to the collection in October 2021. Also included is the organization's web site, which is being captured periodically as part of Schlesinger Library's web archiving program. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by title.

Series II, COMMITTEES, 1979-2018 (#3.2-5.21), is arranged in two subseries: Standing Committees and Program Facet Committees. The five standing committees are Archives and History, Budget and Finance, Events and Development, Membership, and Public Relations. Program Facet Committees contain material regarding the national programs of Links, Inc: Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, The Arts, and International Trends and Services.

Subseries A, Standing Committees, 1979-2018 (#3.2-5.11), focus mostly on the administrative functions of the chapter. The Archives and History Committee files include correspondence, manuals, and presentations; and Budget and Finance Committee files contain financial records including budgets, transaction reports, and internal revenue reports. The Events and Development Committee material include correspondence, programs, clippings and other documents related to fund-raising and anniversary events in the 50 Year Celebration in 2001. The Membership Committee files include applications, forms, directories and recognitions (life events, promotions and career accomplishments) and remembrance of chapter members; and the Public Relations Committee material include publicity and website design files. The sub-series is arranged by committee, and then by format or event title.

Subseries B, Program Facet Committees, 2001-2018 (#5.12-5.21), contain files related to the implementation of Link's programming that addresses four areas: Services for Youth, National Trends and Services, The Arts, and International Trends and Services. Specific programs documented are the "Fit for the King: a health and wellness program, "The Kids, Court and Citizenship program," and the Martin Luther King Jr. School graduation and awards program under Services for Youth. Also included are programs, reports and correspondence regarding the Community Service awards under the National Trends and Services. The subseries is arranged in alphabetical order by format or program name.

Most of the photographs in this collection are or will be digitized and available online.

HISTORY

The Links, Inc. Boston Chapter is a public service, non-partisan, volunteer organization of African American women. The membership seeks to enrich, sustain, and ensure the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African descent. Founded in 1950, the Boston's eight charter members were: Lorena Cuzzens, Virginia Dabney, Amalia Gourdin, Florence Lewis, Gladys McAdoo, Lucy Mitchell, Bali Schalk, and Esther Hawkins Wilson (who served as the first president).

As an affiliate of international organization The Links, Incorporated, the Boston Chapter is committed to the addressing the civic, educational, and cultural concerns of African American communities. With 77 active and alumni members, The Boston Chapter contributes over 3000 hours annually and sponsors fund-raising events, scholarships and programming designed to strengthen and support African American communities. Past fund-raising events include Ebony Fashion Fair, Carnaval, and Day at the Races. All Links chapters are mandated to developing programming related to four national program areas of: Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, The Arts, and International Trends and Services in order to support and strengthen African American communities and enhance the nation through education, civic, and cultural activities.

ARRANGEMENT

The collection is arranged in two series:

  1. Series I. History and Administrative, 1955-2021 (#1.1-3.1, 9.1-9.16, PD.1-PD.4, 6FB.1m-6FB.3m, 7SB.1, 8SB.2, SD.1, E.1-E.4)
  2. Series II. Committees, 1979-2018 (#3.2-5.21)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession numbers: 2010-M233, 2013-M86, 2013-M211, 2014-M50, 2014-M175, 2015-M162, 2016-M205, and 2018-M212. 2021-M124 was added in October 2021.

The records of Links, Inc. Boston Chapter were given to the Schlesinger Library by members Michele Courton Brown and Maureen Alphonse-Charles between December 2010 and December 2018, and by Linda Cabral in July 2021.

Processing Information

Processed: September 2019

By: Amber L. Moore, with assistance from Molly Kirkpatrick.

Additional material added: October 2021

By: Johanna Carll

The Schlesinger Library attempts to provide a basic level of preservation and access for all collections, and does more extensive processing of higher priority collections as time and resources permit.  Finding aids may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Author
Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America
Language of description
eng
Sponsor
Processing of this collection was made possible by Patricia M. King/Schlesinger Library Director's Fund.
EAD ID
sch01673

Repository Details

Part of the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute Repository

The preeminent research library on the history of women in the United States, the Schlesinger Library documents women's lives from the past and present for the future. In addition to its traditional strengths in the history of feminisms, women’s health, and women’s activism, the Schlesinger collections document the intersectional workings of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class in American history.

Contact:
3 James St.
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
617-495-8540