40th Anniversary Program

Orange County Chapter The Links , Incorporated

th 40 Anniversary

“Celebrating 40 Years of Service . . . the Essence of Success”

1973 - 2013

Message from

CHAPTER PRESIDENT Welcome to the Fortieth Anniversary Celebration of the Orange County (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

This is an exceptional night! Forty years ago sixteen courageous women pledged themselves to the ideals, purposes and true meaning of the word “friendship” as embodied in the name Links. It was on this date, June 2, 1973 that The Orange County (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was established.

It is one of 276 chapters of The Links, Incorporated, a not-for-profit organization of more than 12,000 women of color located in 42 states and three countries engaged in volunteer service and charitable endeavors around the Maxine Jackson world. 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.

Tonight we are not looking at tomorrow, but celebrating the past and present. We acknowledge the past and present accomplishments of our chapter. We are elated that you are all here to celebrate with us, and we remember those Links who are not in our presence; we miss you. We focus on the contributions of the sixteen charter members whose dreams and hard work enable us to celebrate “Forty Years of Service …The Essence of Success.” We recognize and express our gratitude to those in our community; business owners, partners and community role models who have consistently supported us. As chapter president, my wish for each of you is that you enjoy the evening, reminiscing with us as our magnificent story is told and we take a musical journey through memory lane.

On behalf of the chapter members, we thank you for making this anniversary possible as we continue serving our communities with "Excellence and Grace."

Respectfully, Maxine E. Jackson

Western Area Director

Constance M. Fitzpatrick-Smith

Western Area Focus

“Seizing the Moment to Strengthen The Chain” The promise to continue the legacy thorough…

~ ALIGNMENT ~ Educating and assisting chapters in understanding and implementing the principles and goals of the National Strategic Plan.

~ BALANCE ~ Encouraging a balance of individual talents, resources, community needs, and time when implementing chapter programs and projects.

~ CIVILITY ~ Modeling and reminding Links to use the Golden Rule to guide their actions in interacting with one another and the community they serve.

June 2, 2013 My Dear Sisters, Congratulations on 40 years of leadership, friendship, and service. Your stellar programs, which consistently enhance the lives of the Orange County community, represent the best of Linkdom.

For four decades, your chapter has been at the helm of numerous vital service projects.

From implementing programming that is designed to help develop personal and educational proficiencies for young African-American ladies to providing exposure to culturally enriching activities and positive role models, your chapter has consistently and successfully targeted the critical needs of the Orange County community. What’s more, your chapter has partnered with other non-profit organizations that work to alleviate the hunger, illiteracy and poor health conditions of the children of Haiti. For this, I applaud you.

Your commitment to serve is invaluable and I am grateful for all that you do. I know your chapter will continue to enrich the quality of life of others, while also preserving the rich legacy of our organization.

On behalf of The Links, Incorporated, I wish each of you an evening filled with fun and fellowship. I am sure the celebratory event—40 Years of Service…The Essence of Success—will be a tremendous success.

Thank you for always Leading with Excellence ~ Serving with Grace.

Sisterly yours,

Margot James Copeland

Organizer and First Chapter President

Dear Friends of The Orange County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Thank you for joining us on this very special evening as we celebrate our fortieth year of friendship and service.

This evening marks our continued commitment to extend the vision of The Links, Incorporated by constantly working to change lives through friendship, caring and concern for our communities and citizens.

Thank you for sharing with us in this memorable occasion.

With Warmest Regards Marne Glass J.D.

Salute to Charter Members

1973

2013

Standing: Julietta Williams, Peggy Boatright, Marne Glass (Founder), Mildred Watson, Dorothy Harper, Ruby Lee, Claudia Armstead Not pictured: Harriett Bailey, Maxine Dillard, *Ruby Peters, Joyce Roberts, Connie Shoals, *Sylvia Suesberry, Edna Whittick, *Carol Williams. *Verna Winston* *deceased

Chapter History The Orange County (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated began as an “interest group” in 1971, organized by Marne Glass J.D. The Chapter was chartered on June 2, 1973 into the national body of The Links, Incorporated with 16 dedicated and energetic women who joined in friendship and committed to service to improve their communities.

Embracing the goals, objectives and ideals of the organization, we continue to partner with community agencies, and members, local and civic organizations and businesses to provide services that enhance the development of young people, their families, and under served populations through our five facets: The Arts, Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, International Services, and our newest facet, Health and Human Services. These facets define the focus of our service and community projects.

The outreach and support partnerships of the Orange County (CA) Chapter of the Links, Inc include: Anaheim Marriott Bowers Museum, African-American Historical Society Boys and Girls Club of Orange County California State Union Fullerton, Titan Student Union Cerritos Library, City of Cerritos Charles Drew Medical School College Bound, Greater Los Angeles Area Cypress Courtyard Marriott Farmers and Merchants Bank

Friends of the Children of Lascahobas, Haiti (FCLH) James Whittaker Elementary School, Buena Park Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum National Black MBA Association, Los Angeles Nordstrom Paul Hendricks Raytheon Company Sanders Engineering The Telein Group, Incorporated WISE Place, Santa Ana

Resources accessed through partner support and relationships have enabled the chapter to enhance its programs to better meet the needs of communities being served. During our forty years, we have impacted the lives of more than 800 families and awarded approximately $200,000 in college scholarships. In recognition of the outstanding programs, the chapter has received Western Area programming awards in the Arts, National Trends and Services, Services to Youth, and the National Best Practice Award in the Arts. The chapter has also received congressional recognition from Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez of the 47th Congressional District; recognition from the Orange County Human Relations Commission and the California Legislative Assembly for Human Relations. Other awards include: The Disneyland Community Service Award and awards from the cities of Cerritos and Santa Ana. The Orange County Chapter is honored to be a founding member of the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

In collaboration with local community and civic organizations, The Orange County Chapter has contributed more than 60,000 volunteer hours of community service through participation in such activities as the Orange County Food Bank Distribution project, Alzheimer’s Walk-A-Thon, Donor Sabbath Sunday, and the Long Beach Junior League Luna Fest. The vision of the chapter is to achieve distinction as “The Links, a “premier volunteer service organization,” and with the continued support of our partners, we will realize this vision. Thank you for 40 Years of friendship and service…you are the essence of our success.

Links Orange Chapter Members

Front Row: Seated L-R: Julietta Williams, Mildred Watson, Marne Glass, Sandra Solomon, Linda Williams, Cheryl Melton, Maxine Jackson, Marionette Rudd-Oliver, Iva Green, Jean Granger, Claudia Armstead, Geneva Ray, Peggy Boatright, Back Row: Standing L-R: Greta Rice, Joanne Koeller, Linda Perry, Alesia Boatright-Jackson, Jan Rooks, Angela Glover, Shonte Fuller, Robyn Hastings-Bonner, Anna Titus, Laura Rycraw, Inez Archie, Dorothy Harper, Beverly Abney-Hill, Joyce Norwood, Janet Webb, Ruby Lee, Jean Johnson-Bell, Connie Franks-Douglas, Karol Watson, Carolyn Carlisle, Julie Johnson, Cynthia Dugan-Terrell Not in photo: Rosetta Hassan, Carolyn Lott-Jackson, Rosalie Lyske, C. Mathews, G. Mathews, Janice Merriweather, Donise Mitchell, Audrey Smith

~ Officers ~

President ....................................................... Maxine Jackson Vice President ............................................... Marionette Rudd-Oliver Recording Secretary . .................................... Shonte Fuller Corresponding Secretary................................. Cheryl Melton Treasurer ....................................................... Sandra Solomon Financial Secretary ........................................ Claudia Armstead *Historian........................................................ Mildred Watson *Inspirational Leader...................................... Geneva Ray *Parliamentarian............................................. Donnise Mitchell *Protocol......................................................... Marne Glass

*appointed

Claudia Armstead Alesia Boatright-Jackson Carolyn Carlisle Connie Franks-Douglas Shonte Fuller Marne Glass, J.D. Angela Glover

Beverly Abney-Hill Inez Archie Peggy Boatright Jean Granger

~ Active Members ~

Rosetta Hassan, M.D. Robyn Hastings-Bonner Cheryl Lott-Jackson Maxine Jackson Julie Johnson Jean Johnson Bell Joann Koeller

Carolym Mathews Gwendolyn Mathews Cheryl Melton Janice Merriweather Donnise Mitchell Joyce Norwood Marionette Oliver Linda Perry

~ Alumnae Members ~ Iva Green Dorothy Harper Ruby Lee Rosalie Lyske Laura Rycraw, J.D.

.Geneva Ray

Jan Rooks Sandra Solomon Karol Watson, Ph.D.,M.D. Mildred Watson, Ph.D. Janet Webb Linda Williams

Audrey Smith Anna Titus Cynthia Dugan-Terrell Julietta Williams

Platinum Member Link Rosalie Lyske certainly personifies “The Art of Giving” in her service for and to the Links, Inc., and her community. A member of The Links, Inc. since 1976 (New York Chapter), and then transferring to the Orange County Chapter in 1983, Rosalie has given numerous hours of her time and expertise as a representative of the Orange County Chapter.

Rosalie Lyske

Rosalie, an only child, was born in Jackson, Mississippi on February 13th, to Joe and O’Nelia Armstrong. She attended private schools and later graduated from Tougaloo College (MS) in 1941, with a B.S. in Home Economics. She did graduate work at Indiana State Teachers College and taught in elementary schools in Indiana and Mississippi.

In 1942, she married Bill Blanks, a Transportation Officer with the USAF attached to the Tuskegee Airmen 99th Fighter Attack Squadron,and had three children, Alana, Denise,and Don. Rosalie taught at the air base nursery school and was active on various committees. She gained a reputation for being an excellent cook and seamstress as well as becoming the Director of Youth activities on the base.

Acting on a friend’s suggestion, Rosalie entered a Special Education Training course at Adelphi University (Long Island, NY) where she obtained her certification in 1960 as a Special Education Teacher. Shortly afterwards, she was hired by Long Island School System and remained there until her resignation in 1985.

In 1984, Rosalie married her present husband, Paddy, and moved to Commack, Long Island, and in 1989 they relocated to California when his company transferred him to Anaheim. As an International Marketing Manager, Paddy traveled extensively, and over a period of about ten years, Rosalie had the opportunity to visit more than thirty different countries and made many lasting friendships.

Rosalie has been an active member of Founder’s Plus of the Orange County Performing Arts Center for over fifteen years, helping to distribute thousands of free tickets to students and to the under served each year. As Chair of the Arts Facet, Rosalie was responsible for initiating our annual donation of $500 to the Centers “Summer At The Center” program. The program was designed to empower at-risk students through active participation in the rigorous two-week program of musical theatre classes conducted by professional artists. Rosalie and her husband Paddy volunteer their time every year to this program.

Past Presidents Marne Glass 1973 - 1974 1998 - 2001

Sylvia Suesberry 1974 - 1975

Dorothy Harper 1986 - 1989

Iva Green 1989 - 1991

Julietta Williams 2003 - 2005

Mildred Watson 1975 - 1979 2001 - 2003

Peggy Boatright 1979 - 1983

Joyce Norwood 1991 - 1995

Norma Reagin 1995 - 1997

Alesia Boatright-Jackson 2005 - 2007

Robyn Hastings-Bonner 2007 - 2011

Cynthia Dugan-Terrell 1983 - 1986

Diane LeBlanc 1997 - 1998

Maxine Jackson 2011 - present

Past National and Area Officers

National Elected Officer

Ruby Lee – National Treasurer - 2000-2002

National Appointed Committees

Alesia Boatright-Jackson - National Evaluation Committee 2007 - 2011; National Membership Task Force Joyce Norwood - National Evaluation Committee - 2005 - 2007 Jan Rooks - National Protocol - 2007 - Present; National Co-Chair of Protocol - 2011 - Present; National Governance - 2007 - present National Leadership Council - 2011; National Executive Council 2013

Western Area Elected Officer

Ruby Lee – Western Area Treasurer - 1995-1999

Western Area Appointed Committees

Joyce Norwood - Western Area Chair, Evaluations - 2005 - 2007 Alesia Boatright Jackson - Western Area Chair Program Reviewer - 2005 - 2011; Western Area Evaluation Committee - 2007-2011 Jan Rooks - Western Area Protocol - 2005 - present Mildred Watson - Western Area Evaluation Chair - 1975 27th Western Area Co-Chair - 1985

Mistress of Ceremony

Acknowledgement The Orange County Chapter The Links, Incorporated Expresses sincerest appreciation to Old Ranch Country Club Music - Teddy Johnson Storyteller - Victoria Burnett Photography - Michael Paul Fernandez Mistress of Ceremonies - Joy Johnson Program Printing ABC Unified School District Graphics Department Our guests, business partners, friends, Connecting Links and Heir-o-Links who helped to make this a memorable celebration of 40 years of friendship and service.