About Us
The Links Incorporated is a national non-profit women's service organization of approximately 10,000 African-American women in the United States, Germany, the Bahamas and South Africa. Closer to home, there are several Links chapters in the Bay Area – Oakland, San Francisco, Peninsula and Alameda Contra Costa. The Alameda Contra Costa Chapter of the Links (“ACCL”) is comprised of African-American women residing in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Founded over 20 years ago, ACCL supports local service agencies serving primarily low-income, inner-city youth and their families through volunteer and fundraising efforts.
History of ACCL
ACCL had its beginnings in the early 1980s with a small group of talented entrepreneurial and professional women who formed the core nucleus. In August 1983, the women were invited to develop an official chapter of The Links, Incorporated. The group selected the name the “Alameda/Contra Costa Innovators,” because the prospective members resided in the two counties.
On Saturday, February 9, 1985, 25 talented women participated in the formal chartering of the chapter. A formal dinner dance was held that evening during which the new Link inductees were presented to the public.
Charter Members
Tommye Kay Armstrong*, Beverly Baker-Kelly, Delores Benton*, Odessa Broussard, Dorothy Bryant, Ulyssine G. Clift*, Myrtle R. Davis, Grace Driver, Nerissa W. Jarrett*, Christine Johnson, Gladys M. Jordan, Osie Lawrence* , Rochelle Lester*, Ruth Lockhart, Henriette Major*, Bernice McMillan, Evelyne H. Myatt, Glenda Newell-Harris, Eloise Norton, Emma H. Pendergrass, Etna Laura Ross, Carolyn Bush Stuckey, Gwendolyn Seay Townsend, Norma Jean Tucker, Greta Clarke Wims
*Deceased
ACCL Today
Since 1996, ACCL has contributed more than $250,000 to our community while providing other services to families in crisis, youth in varied situations, welfare-to-work agencies and education and health concerns here and abroad.
Twenty-three years later, we stand 61 members strong and our Links sisterhood continues to deepen as our membership expands. Our current chapter activities continues to advance community service to the Bay Area at the same levels of excitement, impact and standards of our earliest days as a chapter.
With a strong foundation of more than two decades, the Alameda Contra Costa Links are well poised for many more successful years of service and sisterhood.
Current Members of ACCL
|
Gale Bell* |
Bernice McMillan* |
Past Presidents
Angela C. Harris
Nerissa Jarrett
Norma Jean Tucker
Rochelle Lester*
Emma Pendergrass
Carolyn Bush Stuckey
Osie Lawrence*
Deborah Hill Burroughs
Gwendolyn Seay Townsend
Denise LeNoir
Etna Ross
Glenda Newell-Harris
Dawn Williams
*Deceased
Carolyn Stuckey, Gladys Jordan with Loraine Rickmond
(1st Western Area Director) at a Links event
Chapter Gala, 1990
Tenth Anniversary Gala, Concord Hilton Hotel, 1995
Val Weaver & Carrie Richardson helping out at The Women’s Shelter, 1991
Rochelle Lester coordinates the Alvin Ailey Dancers Reception 2000
Chapter President Etna Ross welcomes attendees at 2001 Northern California Cluster
Chapter Hosts 2001 Cluster: Etna Ross, Carolyn Bush Stuckey, Joyce Melton, Elouise Wilson,
Norma Jean Tucker, Denise LeNoir, Bernice McMillan, Eloise Norton, Theresa Handis,
Janet Bennett, Gwen Townsend, Stalfano Bello
“Respect Yourself” Youth Symposium 2004
Sisterly Fun at a Chapter Retreat
Community Organizations Supported in 2008
- American Heart Association( $5,000.00)
- Ann C. Cato Scholarship recipient($2,000.00)
- Young Musicians Program($2,000.00)
- Dream Catcher($2500.00)
- Students Run Oakland($2500.00)
- East Bay Community Law Center($1850.00)
- Girls Inc.,West Contra Costa County($1150.00)
- East Oakland Youth Development Center, Various prorams are supported through in-kind services and financial contributions.
Current Group Photo
Top Row Left to Right: Theresa Handis, Andrea F. Jones, Regene Polk Ross, Maya Thornell-Sandifor, Val Weaver, Yolanda Mouton LeBlanc, Kristine Grisham Holliman, Victoria Barber Spears, Jocelyn Freeman Garrick, Andrea Breaux Middle Row Left to Right: Emma Pendergrass*, Rita Stuckey, Doris Britt, Myrtle Jones*, Jacqui Love-Marshall, Denise LeNoir, Glenda Newell-Harris, Shari Ross-Hollis, Deborah Gould, Myrtle Davis*, Joyce Melton, Constant Young, Saundra Jones Bottom Row Left to Right: Elaine Needham, Deirdre Haizlip Celotto, Beverly Harrison, Angela Harris, Dawn Sykes Williams, Gale Bell*, Rochelle Lester*, Etna Laura Ross*, Carolyn Bush Stuckey*, Karen B. Wilson Not pictured: Stalfana Bello, Dorothy Bryant*, Vianna Brisco, Odessa Broussard*,Stephanie Jackson Christmas, Grace Driver*, Donna Harper, Debra Hill-Houston, Fern S. Jackson, Jannett Jackson, Meryl Johnson Jackson, Regina Jackson, Constance James, Gladys Jordan*, Nashormeh Lindo, Deborah McHenry, Bernice McMillan*, Evelyne Myatt*, Eloise Norton, Jeanette Sanderson Patterson, Gwen Renshaw-Ovid, Carrie Richardson*, Odessa Staggers*, Tamara Scott, Sonya Simril, Angela Folling Taylor, Rose Mary Towns*, Gwendolyn Townsend,
Norma Jean Tucker*, Lillian White, Elouise Wilson*
(*alumnae members)
© 2011 Alameda Contra Costa Chapter Links
