Best-Dressed Links

Our first winner was Link Felicia Coleman (not pictured in the winning attire)

Our second winner was Link Terri Woods-Campbell (featured in her winning attire)

To encourage Waco Link sisters to wear green attire to meetings, President Josette Ayres and Link Vashon Sutherland instituted a monthly contest in which the best dressed member wins a prize and is allowed to walk the runway.

The chapter's first winner was Link Felicia Coleman who sported a crisp, frilly, white blouse with an elegant ruffled collar along with a sporty green jacket and skirt.

The second winner was Link Terri Woods-Campbell, who took the runway in a beautiful Links scarf, ruffled blouse and black slacks.

"Her matching travel cup helped seal the deal," said Link Vashon who spearheads the effort.

Link Ayres said she thinks the contest encourages members to put forth a little extra effort to look good when they come to monthly meetings.

"It is a great way to encourage our members to look their best in Links' attire," Ayres said. "It is fun and in good spirit."

Link Luwenda Pollard

Link Edna Hampton

Link Ella Shankle

Not pictured- Link Sandra Jennings

Link Hazel Rowe- September 2012

Links in the news...

If you have a news item you would like featured on this page, please e-mail it to Link Mia Moody-Ramirez.

Links in the news

Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc.

A Brief History

The Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. was chartered in 1974 in Waco, Texas. Link Dolly Adams petitioned the chapter’s charter, while on leave from the Angel City Chapter of Los Angeles, Calif.

The formal installation of the Waco Chapter was held on May 25, 1974, with Link Vera Codwell, the organization’s then national vice president, serving as the installing officer.

Charter members were Links Beulah Barksdale, Dolores Harris and Martha Forney. The three members have remained very active in the chapter since their installation.

The Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. has flourished since its inception. Today, the group is comprised of more than 40 women who are active in the community and the Central Texas work force.

Western Area History

When The Links, Incorporated adopted a national structure in 1949, a vital geographical link was missing — chapters from the West.  In September 1950, three chapters were chartered in California (Los Angeles, Oakland Bay Area and San Francisco), connecting the chain of friendship from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.  From there, the Western Area spread Linkdom from the southern tip of Texas northward to Alaska and westward across the Pacific to Hawaii.

Drawing on the synergy generated by women who are committed to friendship and service, the Western Area now has 55 chapters, located in ten states — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington.

Vada Sommerville was the organizer for Los Angeles, with Loraine Rickmond leading the efforts for Oakland Bay Area and Hortense Thomas for San Francisco. Co-founder and National President Sarah Strickland Scott appointed Loraine Rickmond, Oakland Bay Area Chapter, to chair the cluster.  The Western Area became a formal unit in 1954, when The Links, Incorporated was organized into four geographical areas.

Information taken from Western Area Website.

For more information on the Western Area, visit http://www.walinks.org/

The Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Honors Three Waco Links/Connecting Links

Links Ella Shankle and Hazel Rowe

The Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. honored three Waco Links/Connecting Links earlier this year. 

Recipients who have distinguished themselves as leaders for excellence in education are: Link Hazel Rowe, Connecting Link Fredrick Moseley and Connecting Link Alvin Pollard.

“They were selected based on their career accomplishments,” said Link Ella Shankle, who attended the event.

The mission of Phi Delta Kappa International is to promote high-quality education, in particular publicly supported education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. These goals are accomplished through leadership, research, and service in education.

The organization's motto is "To Foster a Spirit of Sisterhood Among Teachers and to Promote the Highest Ideals of the Teaching Profession."

Links Inc. Meet & Greet

Members of the Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. and guests enjoyed a Meet & Greet on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Baylor School of Social Work in Downtown Waco.

About 50 members and guests attended the event coordinated by Link Vashon Sutherland, membership chair. The keynote speaker was Link Tanya Brice, Ph.D., who discussed the history of African-American women's organizations.

"Members of modern organizations might benefit from some of the same tactics used throughout history," Brice said. "We have a strong, rich history that we should never forget."


Brice included women such as Harriet Tubman and Mary McCleod Bethune in her discussion. She offered insight and tidbits of information not usually addressed in history books.


"The talk was interesting because she included some facts that I was unaware of before today," said Link Felicia Coleman, who chaired the decorations committee.


The Meet and Greet is held annually to allow members to mingle with women in the Waco community. The attire was dressy/casual and attendees enjoyed a variety of pastries, fruit and coffee, which were provided under the direction of Link Demetra Kennedy and her committee.

"I want to send out my sincere thanks to each of you for stepping and up and contributing to the success of the event," said President Josette Ayres.  

Services to Youth Activites - Girls Conference in September

By Demetra Kennedy

Waco Chapter partnered with Bledsoe Miller Recreation Center to present a one day conference for girls focusing on career goals, health/hygiene and fitness.  

The Beauty Industry was used a platform to introduce girls to careers in hairstyling, salon ownership, and jobs focusing on the business aspect of manufacturing and marketing of beauty products. Presenters were Tyrone Campbell (hairsytlist), Mia Moody, Ph.D. (writer), Terri Woods-Campbell, MD (physician), Vashon Sutherland (engineer), Josette Ayres (marketing), and Connie Powell, JD (lawyer). 

The Health/Hygiene workshop focused on two areas, which were Glitter Germs Experiment and Emergency Pack it up and Travel Kit.  The Glitter and Germs activity focused on the spread of germs from one person to another and how hand washing reduces the spread of germs. 

The Emergency Pack it up and Travel Kit activity was designed to help girls focus on what are the important items to pack when there is a dire emergency evacuation in their community.  Basis of this activity was lessons learned from hurrican Katrina.  

Links Felica Coleman and Connie Powell facilitated this activity. 

A Zumba activity was conducted by Link Sonya Todd.  This activity focused on how exercise can be fun and healthy.