Forty years ago a group of ten dynamic ladies recognized the opportunities for service inherent in the challenges of a changing society. On November 28, 1964, the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Links, Incorporated was chartered and its members were installed by the Fourth National President, Vivian Beamon. The Links then began a journey of friendship and service and established linkages with not only its 247 sister chapters located in the United States, the Bahamas, Germany and most recently South Africa but also with local, regional and national agencies. The common goal of the Links is to provide services to enrich the quality of life for others. The charter members of the chapter were V. Jean Butler, Lena R. Cooper, Bessie W. Holland, Marjorie D. Lawless, Thelma S. Perkins, Julia B. Purnell, Allene K. Clark Rayford, Jewell T. Thompson, Eva C. Williams, and Dorothea J. Yates.

As the years continued, new members were invited into the chapter. These members brought with them creative energies, talents, experiences that fostered the continued development and implementation of meaningful projects and services. As an energetic community-conscious group of women, they initiated and participated in networking and partnership opportunities with many groups that enriched and empowered them. In addition, members of the chapter have been elected or appointed to serve the organization at the area and national levels. Serving were; Julia Brogdon Purnell, Seventh National President; Jewell T. Thompson and Frances Marsh-Ellis, National Arts Directors; Thelma S. Perkins, National Public Information Officer; Thelma C. Cobb, National Constitution and Bylaws Committee; Eula Masingale, National Services to Youth Committee; Allene K. Rayford, Links Foundation; Exyie C. Ryder, Area Parliamentarian, National Constitution and Bylaws Committee and Area Services to Youth Director.

Building upon the program thrusts of the Links, Inc. - Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services and the Arts - the Baton Rouge Chapter has developed award winning and nationally recognized programs that have provided active volunteerism and support to the city of Baton Rouge.

• Beauregard Art Gallery
• Mid-Winter Community Seminar Series through the Agency for International Development - Nation Council for International Visitors
• Chapter Arts Scholarships
• "Just Say No To Drugs" Chapter community programs
• Old Fashioned Spelling Bee - held at Southern University and Leo S. Butler Community Center
• Program assistance and support to the Friends of Scotlandville and the Scott-Gilchrist Quality of Life Center at Bethel A.M.E. Church
• Program assistance and support to the DeBose National Piano Competition held at Southern University
• Project: "Link Lads" - Youth Connection, Capital Middle School
• Project: "Rose Buds" - Youth Achievers, Emerging Corporate Leaders, Community Service Activities and "In Support of Neighborhoods"
• Walk-A-Thon for Health and Hunger
• Seminars on Women's Issues
• Linkages to Life - organ donor awareness workshop with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Louisiana
• A Kaleidoscope of African-American Artist Exhibits and African American Arts Tour
• Community Service Showcase: "Partners in the Journey of Service"

Over the past forty years the members of the Baton Rouge Chapter have embarked on a journey of friendship and service. At each stage of the journey, the chapter has enlarged its world of friends and simultaneously discovered new avenues for service. Along the way, the nexus between friendship and service has grown stronger. The chapter pledges its continuous cooperation and partnership with the efforts of local, regional and national agencies to enrich and empower others.

The Links Baton Rouge Chapter Inductions
Members by Years

1966 Elayne Butler Bryant
Portia Granger Hubbard
Adele Martin Jackson*
Roberta Hodges Jackson*

1968 Frances Holt Austin*
Laura Joseph Baranco
Veraldine Lewis Bernard
Sara Jordan Dixon
Nan Geraldine James*
Amelia Jones Lewis*
Rebecca Franklin Netterville*
Mildred Combs Pierro*

1970 Ella D. Jordan Thomas*

1971 Thelma Carver Cobb

1976 Johnetta T. Baham
Jean King Nobles
Irene M. Tucker
Evelyn M. Williams*

1977 Jim Etta Lee

1980 Inzes S. Anderson
Lena W. Lockhart
Maud K. Miller
Roberta S. Tyson

1983 Myrtle E. David
Joyce E. Harrison
Carmen S. Jones
Exyie C. Ryder

1986 Billie D. Cunningham

1987 Effie W. Carter
Doveal A. Essex
Helen K. Hedgemon
Eula M. Masingale

1989 Rose M. Greggs
Charlotte M. Henderson
Olive W. Jordan
Geraldine L. Roberts
Lyndia Mims Williams

1994 Carol S. Adams*
Brenda S. Birkett
Dianne N. Brandon
Brenda S. Sterling
Evelyn R. Tellis
Sylvia Essex Winder
Barbara G. Woods

1996 Gloria Braxton
Laura A. Clifton
Carolyn C. Collins
Maxine C. Cormier
Yolanda J. Dixon
Marilyn Seibert
Joice M. White
Rochelle B. Williams
Mary N. Yates

1998 Annette Austin
Gayle H. Jackson
Joyce M. Jackson
Patricia T. Robinson

2004 Helena R. Cunningham
Carla M. Franklin
Gwendolyn P. Hamilton
Vivian L. Kerr
Debra G. Lazare
Vallerie Maurice
Carol R. Murphy
Jacqueline Nash
Natalie Y. Tellis

*Deceased

The Links, Incorporated The Baton Rouge Chapter
Officers and Roster of Members

President: Debra G. Lazare

Vice President: Charlotte M. Henderson

Recording Secretary: Natalie T. Robertson

Financial Secretary: Leslie Brown Vincent

Corresponding Secretary: Carol Murphy ('06-'07), Brenda Birkett ('07-'08)

Treasurer: Carla Mica Franklin

Parliamentarian: Myrtle E. David

Protocol: Exyie Ryder

Immediate Past President: Myrtle E. David

Johnetta V. T. Baham*, Carolyn M. Murphy, Veraldine L. Bernard*, Jacqueline Nash, Brenda S. Birkett, Thelma S. Perkins, Dianne N. Brandon, Julia B. Purnell, V. Jean Butler, Allene K. Rayford, Effie W. Carter, Geraldine Roberts, Thelma C. Cobb*, Exyie C. Ryder, Carolyn C. Collins, Brenda S. Sterling, Maxine C. Cormier, Evelyn R. Tellis, Billie D. Cunningham, Natalie Y. Tellis, Frances Marsh-Ellis**, Jewell Thompson*, Doveal A. Essex*, Irene M. Tucker, Gwendolyn P. Hamilton, Roberta S. Tyson, Joyce E. Harrison*, Joice M. White, Helen K. Hedgemon, Eva C. Williams*, Joyce M. Jackson, Rochelle Williams, Carmen S. Jones, Sylvia Essex Winder, Vivian L. Kerr, Dorothea Yates*, Marjorie D. Lawless*, Mary N. Yates, Debra G. Lazare, Jim Etta Lee*, Lena W. Lockhart*, Vallerie Maurice

*Alumna
**Provisory

Baton Rouge Chapter Presidents 1964 - 2004

The Links, Incorporated

Bessie W. Holland*
Jewell T. Thompson
Julia Brogdon Purnell
Elayne Butler Bryant
Thelma S. Perkins
Adele M. Jackson*
Allene K. Rayford
V. Jean Butler
Myrtle E. David
Eula D. Masingale*
Roberta S. Tyson
Sylvia Essex Winder
Myrtle E. David
*Deceased

SUBMITTED BY: Baton Rouge Chapter of Links