History

Greater Queens (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

In 1991, Greater Queens (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, was initially organized as Queens Nia Club under the leadership of Chapter Organizer Juliette A. Hansen. The genesis of our Chapter chartered on March 9, 1996, was to impact the Queens community. Thirty-two women had the commitment, foresight, and vision to make Greater Queens (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated a reality. In keeping with The Links, Incorporated's national mandate to enhance the quality of life in our community through our volunteer community service programs, we have focused our energies and commitment on implementing transformational programming in alignment with our five
facets.

Currently, forty-nine (49) phenomenal women are active members of the Greater Queens (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, with ten (10) Alumni Members.

From its inception, Greater Queens (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated partnered with PS/IS 116 in Queens, New York. It implemented the “Lunch Bunch” program and provided a resource room for career guidance, college information, and tutorial services for elementary and high school students. Services to Youth Facet continues to offer and coordinate programming that increases the student academic achievements at PS/IS 116.

Our Chapter was one of the first chapters within The Links, Incorporated, to support educational opportunities and advancement in Africa. We continue to proudly support students attending the Hamo 4 El Hadj Thierno Amadou DIONE School in Dakar, Senegal, Africa. We’ve focused our efforts on providing resources to over 800 students, providing books, backpacks stuffed with school supplies, and shared cultural experiences.

In 2012, the Chapter inaugurated its formal scholarship program. Focusing on leadership development, academic achievement, and recognizing the financial needs of young women desirous of attending institutions of higher learning, the Chapter awarded four-year scholarships to young women accepted to four-year academic institutions.

The students of CUNY/York College had the opportunity to participate in several enlightening conversational forums with the Hon. Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, the first elected female president of Liberia, the 2nd with the First Lady of New York, Chirlane McCray, and the Under Secretary and Executive Director of UN Women, Dr. Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka and United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Pre-pandemic, right before the world shut down at our Annual Masquerade Ball, the Chapter honored the 14 and 16-year-old “Central Park Five” boys, now the “Exonerated Central Park Five” adult men: Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise, and Yusef Salaam, who currently is a member of the NYC Council.

Our 2023 Women’s History Month Program featured Yolanda Adams lifting African American women in gospel music. We honored African American female change agents in our city and nation: Principal Dancer American Ballet Theatre, Honorary Member of The Links, Incorporated, Misty Copeland; Speaker, NYC Council, The Hon. Adrienne E. Adams; Group Vice President Government Affairs, Charter Communications Camille Joseph Goldman; NAACP National Board Member & President, New York State Conference, Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, and Sr. Pastor, The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of NY, Rev. Dr. Elaine M. Flake, both are members of The Links, Incorporated.

Charter picture with chapter president.JPG

Highlights Greater Queens (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

At the beginning of the unimaginable year of COVID-19, Greater Queens (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated recognized our community's basic survival needs: food and shelter. We donated $5,000 to the 1906 Project of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and $3,500 to CUNY/York College for the Colleges Emergency Relief Program for students.

Christmas of 2020, the Chapter adopted six families in need. The children of each family ranged in age from infants to those approaching 18 years, male and female. Ranging from three to six children in each family, each child received an abundance of toys, clothing, and age-appropriate arts, crafts, and literature. Guardians and parents of the children also received gifts and holiday food items.

Our signature fundraiser, the Annual Masquerade Ball, raises funds to support our exceptional community programming and our special initiatives and provides funding for awarding scholarships to deserving college-bound students.

In our 28 years of service, our growing membership of accomplished and dedicated professional women has continued to implement The Links, Incorporated's vision and mission, building upon the legacy of our charter members and working collectively in sisterhood, friendship, and service.