ChAPTER HISTORY
About Tri Cities (WA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
Tri-Cities (WA) Chapter 1981-2024
The Tri-Cities (WA) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated grew out of the interest of members of the Tri-Cities Civic Club, a group that organized a Career Day in one of the local high schools in 1980. Under the leadership of Western Area Director, Link Marion Sutherland, the Tri-Cities chapter was chartered on May 9, 1981, making it the 38th chapter in the Western Area.
The 22 charter members were: Links Patricia A. Alford, Patricia J. Alford, Othene Bell (Haywood), Naughne Boyd, Roberta Birden, Alice Carter, Jackie Cole, Vivian Cooper, Yvonne Cox (Ryans), Catherleen Hollis, Lauren Lavender, Franceda Lewis, Mable Lewis, Roberta Nelson, Audrey Ogletree, Rosalyn Page, Ruby Parks, Jacqueline Roberts, Alicia Shaw, Willie Stone, Myrtle (Gus) Wiley, and Dunrue Wilson.
The Chapter’s mission continues to be to enrich and sustain the culture, health, and economic survival of people of African American descent in the Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and Walla Walla, Washington areas.
Chapter History of Notable Programs and AccomplishmentS
Umbrella Programs
- STEAM Program – Providing hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics related activities for students in grades 3 – 5.
- Health Programs Through Education
- Ebony Fashion Fair with proceeds providing student scholarships.
Service to Youth Facet
- Award scholarships annually for high school graduates and Washington State University Tri-Cities for undergraduate students.
- Provide hands-on math activities and tutoring at Juneteenth events
- Senior Awards Nights
- Scholarship Workshops
The Arts Facet
- Poster Art Show for local students in partnership with Columbia Basin College
- Annual Juneteenth Booths for children (making bracelets and historical coloring pages)
- Supported /staffed Northwest Black Pioneers Exhibit at Columbia Center Mall
- Sponsor arts activity at annual Juneteenth celebration
- Annual Jazz Gala Fundraisers
National Trends & Services Facet
- Voter Registration Booths
- Sponsored families for Christmas (food, gift cards, clothing, toys)
- Established Links Clothes Closet to assist women working to improve their lives.
- Links Empowerment Closet (for women)
International Trends & Services Facet
- School-in-a-Box Program, sending school supplies to South African children
- Hosted Book Drive with Barnes & Noble for donation to schools in Ghana.
- Contributed to donations for African and Haiti Water Wells
- Adopt-A-Child (Africa Outreach)
Health & Human Services Facet
- Black Family Wellness Expo
- 100 Women in H.A.T.S. (Health Awareness Through Sisterhood)
- Reaching our Seniors with Enrichment at the Richland Assisted Living Facility
- Conducted educational seminars on a variety of health topics.
- Sponsor Health Wellness Information Booth at Juneteenth Events
- Annual Walk-a-thons
Chapter Leadership
Past Chapter Presidents
1st Alice Carter * 1981 – 1985
2nd Cathi Hollis 1985 – 1987
3rd Rosalyn Page 1987 – 1989
4th Audrey Ogletree 1989 – 1991
5th Willie Stone 1991
6th Bettye Matier 1991 –1993
7th Alicia Shaw 1993
8th Valeria Hunter 1993 –1997
9th Jennifer Curtis 1997 – 2001
10th Maria McDonald McNamar 2001 – 2003
11th/13th Katie Jackson 2003 – 2007, 2009 – 2011
12th Carol Bonadie 2007 – 2009
14th Chauné Fitzgerald 2011 - 2013
16th/18th Maria McDonald McNamar 2013 - 2017, 2020 - 2021
17th Michelle Jenkins 2017 - 2020
19th Leslie Campbell-Hime 2021 - 2022
20th Robbin Calloway 2022 - 2026
Alumna Links
Carol Bonadie, Othene Haywood*, Katie Jackson, Rosalyn Page*, Willie Stone*
* Charter Members
Current Chapter Officers
President Robbin Calloway, Vice President Deidra Witherspoon, Secretary Leah Mays,
Treasurer Tanya Bowers, Financial Secretary Andrea Peterson, Parliamentarian Brittney Berry, Immediate Past President, Leslie Campbell-Hime