Celebrating the Legacy and Sisterhood of Our Alumna

In March 2026, our chapter proudly hosted our “Forever Linked in Friendship” Alumna Celebration, a heartfelt afternoon dedicated to honoring the commitment, service, and lasting legacy of our Alumna members in The Links, Incorporated and within our chapter. Each Alumna member received a special surprise tribute from members sharing reflections about her contributions, leadership, and impact during her time of active service. These personal tributes highlighted the many ways our Alumna helped strengthen our chapter and exemplified the spirit of friendship and service that defines The Links, Incorporated. It was a heartwarming gathering where we shared stories and cherished the bonds that connect us.

Expanding Our Chain of Friendship

On May 10, 2025, North Jersey (NJ) Chapter warmly welcomed five amazing women into our sisterhood: Kenna Baudin, Alexis Davis, Shirell Gross, Rhonda McFarlane Richard, and Janet Hill Smith.

Each brings unique talents, perspectives, and experiences to enrich our chapter. We shared laughter, stories, and heartfelt moments that will be cherished for years. We can’t wait to see the amazing things that each of them will contribute as part of our circle of friendship. Welcome, Kenna, Alexis, Shirell, Rhonda, and Janet!

Getting Excited About Reading

In honor of National Reading Month and to celebrate the joy of reading and the magic of storytelling, The North Jersey (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was invited to participate in a “Read Across America” event at Chancellor Avenue School in Newark, NJ, on March 7th, 2025. The North Jersey Links, including an Alumna member, were met by Junior National Honor Society student leaders and led to the school library, where they could browse the book collection and select titles to read. Afterward, they were escorted to Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, where they read books to the captivated young scholars and encouraged their love for literacy and learning.

North Jersey Links Establish Endowments at Oldest HBCUs

The North Jersey Links White Rose Emergency Fund was established in December 2024 by the North Jersey (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated as part of the National "Links Love HBCUs" initiative. This integrated program creates $30,000 endowment funds at both Lincoln University and Cheyney University to help address critical financial challenges faced by students nearing graduation or advancing to the next academic year. As we move forward during these critical and uncertain times, our chapter continues to be committed to partnering with HBCUs to enable, encourage and support students in their academic careers. We thank our Sole II Soul event supporters for your contributions to this historic effort.

Celebrating Legacy:
Alumna Fireside Chat

In October 2024, we hosted a special friendship activity: A Fireside Chat with our Alumna Members, a unique opportunity to connect with those who have paved the way for our current successes. This event was a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of service and sisterhood that our chapter has built over decades, bringing together 8 alumna members who spoke about the impactful service initiatives they spearheaded, the creative fundraising efforts they led, and the enduring friendships they forged. Through their stories, we were reminded of the chapter’s deep-rooted commitment to making a difference and the strong bonds of sisterhood and service that have always been a cornerstone of our organization.

St. Mary’s Music & Arts Center

North Jersey’s vision of making a lasting impact in Jamaica has come to fruition. On May 17th, 2024, North Jersey (NJ) Chapter members travelled to Montego Bay for the official opening of the St. Mary’s Preparatory Music & Arts Center. The ribbon cutting ceremony featured inspiring performances by students and remarks by local dignitaries. Many thanks to our NJ donors and chapter partners for donating funds and instruments, and for making arts education a reality for our friends across the miles.