Jennifer White-Reid

Greetings Link Sisters, Family, Friends and Community Partners,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our 70^th Anniversary Celebration at our biennial Holly Ball. We are honored that you have chosen to spend this evening with us as we celebrate 70 years of friendship and service.

Seven civic minded, well-connected women, who were linked through friendship, saw potential in the ideas of our two founding members. Because of their foresight, on May 28, 1949, Central New Jersey became one of the original 14 clubs.  We are a part of a circle of friends now known as The Links, Incorporated, which has grown to 288 chapters. With gratitude, we reflect upon our rich legacy that began with our charter members.

The Central New Jersey Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was organized in May 1949, at the Princeton, N.J. home of Link Sadie Dickerson. Our charter members were Louise Granger, Augusta Smith, Claudine Lewis, Madeline Broaddus, Sadie Dickerson and Eddye Mae Shivery. Within the year, Alice Archibald, Lottie Dinkins, Bernice Munce, Ethel Price, Margaret Sullivan, Susie Waxwood and Eloise Williams were invited to expand the founding members. As the years progressed, the chapter continued to grow. Today, there are 35 active members.

On March 28, 1951, our chapter was incorporated in New Brunswick, N.J. with four of the founding members of Central New Jersey Links as witnesses.

The late Madeline Broaddus was the first Eastern Area director. Claudine Lewis was the first national journalist and was elected as one of first nine trustees of National Links, Inc. Lottie Dinkins wrote the “Friendship Ceremony Ritual,” and Bernice Munce inspired, originated, named and started Services to Youth as one of the three-pronged major program approaches of The Links, Inc. Thelma Doby was elected Eastern Area treasurer.