​The Links, Incorporated is highly regarded and is an international organization dedicated to unity, friendship, and service. The Louisville (KY) Chapter installed the Frankfort/Lexington (KY) Chapter on Saturday, December 19, 1968 at the Alumni House on the campus of

Kentucky State College (now Kentucky State University) in Frankfort, Kentucky.

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The Chapter, sponsored by the Louisville (KY) Chapter, inducted sixteen charter members. 

They are:  Sara Brooks, Anna Dalton, Alice Dalton, Harriet Haskins, Mary Hill, Helen Holmes, 

Ann Hunter, Lizzie Johnson, Evelyn Livisay, Vivian Raines, Allie Richards, Gertrude Ridgel,

Katherine Rollins, Clara Smith, Dorothy Wilson, and Lillian Wright.

 

The first elected officers for the Frankfort/Lexington (KY) Chapter were:

President – Harriet Haskins

Vice President – Gertrude Ridgel

Recording Secretary – Evelyn Livisay

Corresponding Secretary – Clara Smith

Financial Secretary – Vivian Raines

Treasurer – Anna Dalton

 

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946.  The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 276 chapters located in 41 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 extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.The members of The Links, Incorporated are influential decision makers and opinion leaders. The Links, Incorporated has attracted many distinguished women who are individual achievers and have made a difference in their communities and the world. They are business and civic leaders, role models, mentors, activists, and volunteers who work towards a common vision by engaging like-minded organizations and individuals for partnerships. Links members contribute more than 500,000 documented hours of community service annually which strengthens their communities and enhances the nation.  The organization has received awards from the UN Association of New York and the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation for its premier programs.

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The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has five facets which include National Trends and Services, The Arts, Services to Youth, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. The programs are implemented through strategies such as public information and education, economic development, and public policy campaigns.