Copa Style Magazine
Community Connection
Copa Style Magazine is proud to feature The Links, Incorporated and Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd during this special Community Connection feature. On March 30, the Capital City (DC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated held its 8th Annual Women’s Recognition High Tea at the beautiful Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. This year’s tea honored nine women presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities from around the country. The Capital City (DC) Chapter took the time to honor and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments and achievements of these esteemed leaders.
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of over 15,000 professional women of color in 288 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United Kingdom. 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. Their Core Values are Friendship, Integrity, Honesty, Service, Commitment, Family Relationships, Courage, Respect for Self and Others, Legacy, Confidentiality, Responsibility, and Accountability.
The Capital City (DC) Chapter was chartered in 1979 by 30 dynamic, resourceful, talented, influential and beautiful women. Over the past 40 years, the chapter continues to make a significant and positive impact on the quality of life of those it serves in the Washington DC metropolitan area. With over 70 members, the chapter includes the region’s most powerful and successful government officials, educators, bankers, entrepreneurs, and many others.
Our correspondent, J Nicole had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Boyd, Executive Director of The Links, Incorporated about her illustrious career in this fantastic organization.
Copa: Dr. Boyd, tell us a little about yourself and your involvement with the Links Incorporated?
Dr. Boyd: I am happy to say that I have been a member of the Capital City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated since 1987. The distinguished and celebrated women who are part of this chapter and this organization work to promote positive opportunities in the community and are willing to share their gifts and talents to support, encourage and empower our youth and seniors and all populations in between.
Copa: On March 30, the Capital City (DC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated hosted a fantastic event, the 8th Annual Women’s Recognition High Tea. How did this event come about and why is it a signature event for The Links, Incorporated?
Dr. Boyd: The Capital City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated wanted to find a meaningful way to celebrate outstanding women. To that end, we conceived and implemented the High Tea in the City Event to bring together women who had distinguished themselves in their professional careers. These women were also identified as community servants and volunteers in various areas. Because of their impeccable credentials, we wanted to create an event where friends, family members and the community at large could join us in honoring these prominent women. So, for the past eight years, we have had the distinction of putting on this grand soiree and unique event to honor notable and extraordinary women from around the country. This year we were pleased and delighted to honor African American female Presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Copa: The importance of HBCUs has been a focal point in the media in recent months, and there is almost a movement and somewhat of a celebration of the importance of HBCUs in the African diaspora. What do you hope attendees took away from having such an esteemed group of honorees at this event?
Dr. Boyd: It was our sincere hope that as they heard the credentials of the female presidents, they understood that these colleges and universities are being led by influential and profoundly qualified women. As we questioned the attendees, we realized that a significant part of our audience participants was educated at an HBCU, e.g., Howard University, Spellman College, etc. we also had the opportunity to let the audience celebrate the contributions of those who have graduated from HBCUs and moved on to make significant contributions to society. It was also vital to acknowledge that all the women we honored in 2019 were the first female presidents of their institutions. This is a critical indicator that we must continue to support women in leadership.
Copa: Undoubtedly, the impact of The Links in this community will continue. Are there other events that you would like to mention that informs our readers about the great work that this organization does all year?
Dr. Boyd: One week after the High Tea in the City event we brought The Capital City Chapter to its other signature event, The Senior’s Luncheon. This is another annual event where we bring senior citizens from throughout the District of Columbia, to a luncheon especially designed for them. The music, the program, the décor, and the fellowship are all created to let our seniors know how much we appreciate them for paving the way for this generation. As an intergenerational organization, we understand how important it is to build on the past while focusing on the future. The Capital City Chapter also supports a select group of girls at Dunbar High School by serving as mentors for them and assisting them as appropriate in their aim to be successful young women. The Chapter also provides scholarships to DC students who are pursuing higher education.
Copa: It is without a doubt that this organization is a driving force in the community. We thank you for the opportunity to learn more about this important organization.
Community Connection
Copa Style Magazine is proud to feature The Links, Incorporated and Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd during this special Community Connection feature. On March 30, the Capital City (DC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated held its 8th Annual Women’s Recognition High Tea at the beautiful Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. This year’s tea honored nine women presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities from around the country. The Capital City (DC) Chapter took the time to honor and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments and achievements of these esteemed leaders.
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of over 15,000 professional women of color in 288 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United Kingdom. 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. Their Core Values are Friendship, Integrity, Honesty, Service, Commitment, Family Relationships, Courage, Respect for Self and Others, Legacy, Confidentiality, Responsibility, and Accountability.
The Capital City (DC) Chapter was chartered in 1979 by 30 dynamic, resourceful, talented, influential and beautiful women. Over the past 40 years, the chapter continues to make a significant and positive impact on the quality of life of those it serves in the Washington DC metropolitan area. With over 70 members, the chapter includes the region’s most powerful and successful government officials, educators, bankers, entrepreneurs, and many others.
Our correspondent, J Nicole had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Boyd, Executive Director of The Links, Incorporated about her illustrious career in this fantastic organization.
Copa: Dr. Boyd, tell us a little about yourself and your involvement with the Links Incorporated?
Dr. Boyd: I am happy to say that I have been a member of the Capital City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated since 1987. The distinguished and celebrated women who are part of this chapter and this organization work to promote positive opportunities in the community and are willing to share their gifts and talents to support, encourage and empower our youth and seniors and all populations in between.
Copa: On March 30, the Capital City (DC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated hosted a fantastic event, the 8th Annual Women’s Recognition High Tea. How did this event come about and why is it a signature event for The Links, Incorporated?
Dr. Boyd: The Capital City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated wanted to find a meaningful way to celebrate outstanding women. To that end, we conceived and implemented the High Tea in the City Event to bring together women who had distinguished themselves in their professional careers. These women were also identified as community servants and volunteers in various areas. Because of their impeccable credentials, we wanted to create an event where friends, family members and the community at large could join us in honoring these prominent women. So, for the past eight years, we have had the distinction of putting on this grand soiree and unique event to honor notable and extraordinary women from around the country. This year we were pleased and delighted to honor African American female Presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Copa: The importance of HBCUs has been a focal point in the media in recent months, and there is almost a movement and somewhat of a celebration of the importance of HBCUs in the African diaspora. What do you hope attendees took away from having such an esteemed group of honorees at this event?
Dr. Boyd: It was our sincere hope that as they heard the credentials of the female presidents, they understood that these colleges and universities are being led by influential and profoundly qualified women. As we questioned the attendees, we realized that a significant part of our audience participants was educated at an HBCU, e.g., Howard University, Spellman College, etc. we also had the opportunity to let the audience celebrate the contributions of those who have graduated from HBCUs and moved on to make significant contributions to society. It was also vital to acknowledge that all the women we honored in 2019 were the first female presidents of their institutions. This is a critical indicator that we must continue to support women in leadership.
Copa: Undoubtedly, the impact of The Links in this community will continue. Are there other events that you would like to mention that informs our readers about the great work that this organization does all year?
Dr. Boyd: One week after the High Tea in the City event we brought The Capital City Chapter to its other signature event, The Senior’s Luncheon. This is another annual event where we bring senior citizens from throughout the District of Columbia, to a luncheon especially designed for them. The music, the program, the décor, and the fellowship are all created to let our seniors know how much we appreciate them for paving the way for this generation. As an intergenerational organization, we understand how important it is to build on the past while focusing on the future. The Capital City Chapter also supports a select group of girls at Dunbar High School by serving as mentors for them and assisting them as appropriate in their aim to be successful young women. The Chapter also provides scholarships to DC students who are pursuing higher education.
Copa: It is without a doubt that this organization is a driving force in the community. We thank you for the opportunity to learn more about this important organization.