The Philadelphia Chapter of The Links Inc. lends ongoing support to Dress for Success and most recently held a special community service event in support of this initiative. “Our chapter was proud to provide clothing and inspirational messages to women who are working to become self sufficient. It was exciting and rewarding to help to empower these women during Women’s History month,” Sherilynn Johnson Kimble, Philadelphia Chapter president said. “This project provides an opportunity to help transform lives,” she added.

As the founding chapter of The Links Inc., members heard the call and accepted the charge to support Dress for Success. The chapter collected more than 50 pieces of professional apparel, primarily business suits and donations were presented directly to Dress for Success’ Pennsylvania executive team at the downtown Philadelphia corporate office.

Other, current officers of the Philadelphia Chapter Links Inc. are: vice president, Stephanie Watkins; corresponding secretary, Mahlene Duckett Lee; recording secretary, Alexia Hudson; financial secretary, Catherine Broach and treasurer, Diedre Patterson.

Although professional attire is the most visible part of Dress for Success, the most notable successes of the program are intangible. Women, who succeed in the program, do so because of the cornerstone program goal of confidence building. The intangible accomplishments are recognized as one’s journey towards economic independence; remaining employed and building a rewarding career and becoming self-sufficient. Participants have incredible stories describing their journeys. Dress for Success wardrobe donations help to provide both internal and external values and rewards of beauty, strength and commitment.

The Links Inc. is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 274 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Philadelphia Chapter of The Links Inc. is the founding chapter of the organization.

Founded in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help newly-employed woman build a professional wardrobe and financial security. Dress for Success has served more than 550,000 women around the world. “The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Members of the Philadelphia Chapter of The Links Inc. Dress for Success committee: Mahlene Duckett Lee, Frances M. Jones, Tonya Brown, Mitzi Lawrence, Brenda Johnson Best, Eastern Area Officer, Sherilynn Johnson Kimble, Teri Lee, Autumn Atkins Graves, Ellyn Jo Waller, Mariska Bogle and the entire chapter are commended for their continued, outstanding service to the Philadelphia Community.

The Philadelphia Chapter Links, Inc. sponsored a “Healthy People, Healthy Communities, Heart Healthy and Childhood Obesity Program” on Saturday, May 5. The free program for the community was held at historic Girard College, Founder’s Hall in North Philadelphia.

There has been an increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and stroke in ethnic communities. Obesity, diabetes and physical inactivity are all risk factors that can be modified. We, The Philadelphia Chapter of The Links, Inc., Founding chapter, recognize the need for targeted intervention strategies that address and produce sustained results among African-American families and children to battle heart disease and childhood obesity. “Heart Healthy and Childhood Obesity “Program highlights included:

Chefs who demonstrated how to prepare healthy, nutritious meals were: Takiyah Perkins, Erica Lewis, Gabrielle Ingram, MarvaLisa Scott, Keesha Boyd and Gerda Gallop-Goodman.

Other exhibitors were: Frances Conwell, Andrea Grahm, Thurselle Treece-Mackney and Robin Edwards.

Highlights of the afternoon program included a panel of expert health advisors who shared information about a range of health related topics. Panelists included Dr. Michael Adams, Dr. Deneen Hendrick, Laura Robinson, Dr. Robin Jones, Kimberly Garrison and Dr. Gerald DeVaughn.

There were also blood pressure and diabetes screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations, nutritional advice, dancing, fitness demonstrations and a special children’s program.

The Links, Inc. is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 274 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Philadelphia Chapter of The Links, Inc. is both the founding chapter of the organization and one of the largest chapters with more than fifty members.

Current officers of The Philadelphia Chapter Links, Inc. are president, Sherilynn Johnson Kimble; vice president, Stephanie Watkins; corresponding secretary, Mahlene Duckett Lee;

recording secretary, Brenda Johnson Best; financial secretary, Catherine Broach; treasurer, Deidre L. Patterson and parliamentarian, Margaret Wright.

Congratulations to author Jennifer S. Matthews who recently received the Institute for Financial Literacy’s 2EIFLE (Excellence in Financial Literacy Education) Award for Adult’s Book of the Year. In her book, “12 Ways to Put Money in Your Pocket Every Month Without A Part Time Job,” she shows readers how to convert 12 everyday expenses into 12 money-making opportunities. The money created is in areas where money is already being spent. Readers who follow the simple steps outlined in this award-winning book create several hundred dollars each month.

Matthews has more than 8 years experience assisting clients with developing and adhering to spending plans, increasing and understanding credit scores, affordable homeownership and achieving financial goals. She develops and conducts workshops, teleseminars and corporate trainings. Her services also include affordable detailed, personalized wealth creation systems for clients. Matthews developed “Post Foreclosure Help,” a 5-part comprehensive program to help families recover financially and reposition themselves to return to homeownership.

Matthews earned a B.A. degree in Labor Studies from Rutgers University, an M.A. in Professional Communication from La Salle University and an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University. She holds certificates of professional recognition in “Homebuyer Education Training” and “Beginning to Intermediate Foreclosure Prevention” from Neighbor Works.

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Links Inc. presented a $17,000 check to Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, earlier this month. The presentation and reception took place at Philadelphia City Hall in the Mayor’s Reception Room. Lorraine Brown Long, chair of the international trends and services facet (committee) of the Links Inc. noted that the amount of the ceremonial check had increased.

“The idea of partnering with UNICEF Haiti made perfect sense. We are a service organization and our committee’s focus is to serve the education, health and cultural needs of people of African descent throughout the world,” Brown said. “Haiti was one of the countries that we decided to help even before the devastating earthquake in 2010. Haiti has struggled to rebuild as humanitarian aid has fallen. The Philadelphia Links wanted to make sure our fundraising efforts were going to get to the right people and selected an organization (UNICEF) that has a long history of saving and improving children’s lives,” she added.

Brown made welcoming remarks and explained that the program had a dual focus. The first was to address Haiti’s natural disasters and the second was to recognize those who had overcome monumental hardships.

The program included remarks by Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, the Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, senior pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church and Mahlene Duckett Lee extended a warm welcome to guests, members of Philadelphia’s Haitian Community and fellow members of Links Inc. on behalf of Sherilynn Johnson Kimble, president, Philadelphia Links Inc.

Councilwoman Blackwell, who represents the city’s third district in West Philadelphia, offered greetings on behalf of the entire City Council and the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs. Throughout her 30-plus year career as a public servant, she has a tireless champion of the community as an advocate for the homeless and numerous initiatives for the underserved. As co-founder of the commission, Councilwoman Blackwell was instrumental in ensuring it’s the formation. She continues her commitment to the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs and serves as a commissioner.

Other distinguished program participants included co-sponsors, Stanley L. Straughter, chairman of the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, Honorary Consul, the Republic of Guinea; Dr. Michel M.A. Francois, president, Haitian Coalition of Philadelphia and Florcy Morisset, Board Chair of the Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia.

Loraine Brown Long introduced Morisset as a young woman who she proudly considers to be a daughter. Morisset’s remarks reflected her tremendous respect and affection for Brown as a mentor and mother figure as well as her gratitude to the Links.

Closing remarks were made by co-chair of the international trends and faucet, Mary E. Houston. “We are proud of the partnerships forged to help reduce hunger and poverty in Haiti and we will continue to join in efforts to increase educational opportunities. We also believe in the resilience of the men, women, boys and girls of Haiti and the great work of UNICEF and The Links Inc.,” Houston remarked.

Other officers serving with chapter president Sherilynn Kimble Johnson are: Stephanie Watkins, Mahlene Duckett Lee, Alexia Hudson, Catherine Broach, Deidre L. Patterson, Margaret Wright and Carol Clark Lawrence.

Other Link members serving on the international trends and serves committee are: Anne R. Frazier, Alicia Perkins, Ellen Jo Waller, Evelyn Sample-Oates, Gina Nunery, Mariska K. Bogle, Judge Patrese Tucker and Terry Dean.

The program was followed by a lovely reception in the Mayor’s Reception Room.

The Links Inc. is an international, not-for-profit corporation founded in Philadelphia in 1946. Today, the membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 274 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.

Congratulations to The Philadelphia Chapter of the Links Inc. for their outstanding service to our community.

Have a fantastic week “Out & About,” everyone!

While the Links Inc. is well known for hosting especially glamorous social events and fundraisers, they are consistently involved in hands-on work in our community.

On Nov. 10, the group sponsored a morning service project, hosted by the Penn Towne Chapter Links. chairperson of the 2012 Keystone Cluster Celebration Joye McDonald-Hamer said, “There is no better exercise for the heart than to reach down and lift people up."

Joye and fellow chapter member Sharon Parks, who coordinates public relations for the club, wanted to stress the Links’ efforts to make tangible contributions to the community, especially those in need.

Link members enthusiastically rolled up their sleeves and prepared nutritious food boxes to be shipped and delivered to those in need. They did so at SHARE Food Program at 2901 W. Hunting Park Ave. in North Philadelphia. The SHARE Food Program is a nonprofit organization serving a regional network of community organizations engaged in food distribution, education, and advocacy. The activity included children and grandchildren of Link members to help instill a spirit of community service in them as well.

Penn Towne Chapter President Thelma Henderson said, “Our volunteer efforts at the SHARE Center Warehouse are representative of our commitment to public service as well as our concern for the nutritional health of our community, especially our children. A major initiative of The Links Inc. focuses on combating childhood obesity. Not too long ago, Philadelphia had the dubious honor of being known as “America’s Fattest City.” A major reason for this state of obesity had to do with our diets. We realize that some neighborhoods do not have easy access to supermarkets, or if they do, the cost of food, especially fresh, nutritious food, can be prohibitive. We are very supportive of the SHARE program because it helps to provide nutritious foods to families who are unable to afford supermarket prices.”

The Links Inc., Keystone Cluster held a “Sensational Sunday Friendship Brunch and Founder’s Day Celebration” on the following day at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia. The focus of the afternoon was the service the Keystone Cluster provides to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the state of Delaware, the nation and the world. There was recognition of the years of service that alumnae members committed to the community.

Highlights of the day included the melodic melodies of the Keystone Cluster Choir, accompanied by Donald Robinson, minister of music at Christian Stronghold Baptist Church and former jazz musician with the late Grover Washington Jr. Mayor Michael Nutter and Councilwoman Marian Tasco, a Link member, also presented a citation from Philadelphia City Council to the founders for initiating a community service legacy that has existed for more than 66 years. The founders will also be recognized in the nation’s capital when the American flag that Link Karen Ingram of Wilmington presented to the club’s area director, Dianne Hardison, is flown at the Capitol.

Ninety-nine-year-young Ann Garrott delighted attendees by sharing a few of her remarkable experiences. Other “Out & About” included: Stephanie Watkins, Tanya Deyo, Scheryl Glanton, Kym Ramsey, Dr. Emily Pollard and Dr. Annette Turner of Penn Towne, Rosalind Williford and Deborah Camp-Frye of Bucks County, Cheryl Bullock, Ann Chain, Raye Johnson and Ann Waiters of Delaware Valley. Blanche Jackson, Mary Jones and Patricia Thomas of Dover, Del., Deborah Davis and Verna Edmonds of Harrisburg, Mila Chavis, Diane Duggin, Cheryl Pleasant, Cecelia Robinson, Deanna Shelton and Ellen Thomas of Montgomery County, Daria Kirby Crawley and Rosa Miller of Pittsburgh, Velma Goode, Marcella Rouhlac, Betty Shelton, Stephanie Watkins and Sherilyn Johnson-Kimble of Philadelphia.

Congratulations and continued best wishes to The Links Inc. The Keystone Cluster did a fantastic job as they honored founders Sarah Scott and Margaret Hawkins, who would most certainly be proud of their contributions to the community.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!