Past & Present Leaders
Discover the legacy of leadership that has shaped our organization through the years. Our past directors and current director have laid the foundation for our current successes, each contributing their unique vision and expertise to our enduring mission.
1ST SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
BERNICE MARTIN
1955-1957
“You are all Links! In our organization, each member has an obligation, a responsibility–her own unique contribution to make—towards our understanding of life and of our club.”
2ND SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
GEORGIA SCHANK
1957-1958
“We have recognized the need for ethical relations. Let us begin today, now, at home in our chapters, with ourselves to live up to that term “ethical” in our literature. Let us make it a real and living word—not just a space filler.”
3RD SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
ESMERALDA R. HAWKINS
1955-1957
A charter member of the first SA chapter, Wilson-Rocky Mount-Tarboro. During her administration the friendship chain extended with the chartering of four chapters: Durham (NC), Daytona Beach (FL), Montgomery (AL), & Jackson (MS).
4TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
LINDA H. REDDICK
1961-1965
“I came into the office ready for a challenge…a challenge I found! On the positive side I found a veritable ‘hot-bed-of-talent’—(the) most intellectually, talented women, just waiting to be ‘tapped’ for service.”
5TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
MAUDE K. REID
1965-1969
“I considered the four years I served as Area Director, 1965-1969, to be my most rewarding years in a leadership role of one of the finest group(s) of women I have been privileged to serve. The cooperation, dedication, loyalty and involvement of these ladies inspired me to serve (the) Southern Area to the best of my ability.”
6TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
GLADYS D. WOODS
1969-1973
“Periodically, there is need for self-renewal and organizational renewal—a time for taking stock of where we are and the direction in which we wish to move in the future. . . . Let us . . . re-examine our total organization by looking for new ways of reaching the goals of the three-fold purpose of The Links, Incorporated. . . . Let each Link in her own mind and in her own way measure the part she will play in strengthening the Area program through personal involvement.”
7TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
JULIA B. PURNELL
1973-1978
“Since the inception of The Links, Incorporated, every effort has been made to make The Links, Incorporated by legacy the premier organization of the century. To this end, the organization is continually evaluating to make sure we have a quality organization.”
8TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
JUANITA J. JOHNSON
1978-1981
“Every human being needs other human beings to grow into successful social human beings. This encourages a productive society bent on rendering service through friendship, love and understanding. You have indeed enriched my life! As we work toward our common goals, may God allow all of us to become more diligent servers and greater friends.”
9TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
REGINA J. FRAZIER
1981-1984
“We are the validation of the vision of Sarah Scott and Margaret Hawkins. We have done much. Let us recommit today to do even more…I challenge you individually and collectively to enhance the legacy of the Links, Incorporated through a passionate rededication to friendship, leadership and service.”
10TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
MARTHA BOONE
1984-1985
She encouraged chapter and individual service by providing achievement incentives. During Area Director Martha Boone’s tenure three chapters were chartered: the Crescent City (LA), Triangle Park (NC), and Elizabeth City (NC) Chapters.
11TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
CAROLYN C. WASHINGTON
1985-1987
“Since the inception of The Links, Incorporated, every effort has been made to make The Links, Incorporated by legacy the premier organization of the century. To this end, the organization is continually evaluating to make sure we have a quality organization.”
12TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
BARBARA S. MOORE
1987-1991
“We must not rest on our laurels…for it is our charge and sacred duty to meet the challenges before us. The greater the challenge, the bigger the opportunity; it is our responsibility to meet the challenges that confront us because these are our opportunities to serve.”
13TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
KATIE R. BELL
1991-1995
“An informed group is a cohesive working group and knowledge is power. Linkdom belongs to us all. Though we come from all over, when we are together we wear green and that is all that matters. United together we are a force unlike any other to be reckoned with.”
14TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
JOYCE M. DIXON
1995-1999
“Creativity ignited the ideas, cooperation provided the intensity that kept them afloat, and continuity energized their soaring to extraordinary heights. There were times when I worked on a project until the energy level was depleted and said: “Okay, Lord, it’s all yours.” The lesson learned was: He knows the shortcuts.
15TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
NANCY S. ANDERSON
1999-2003
“Our legacy has been emerging, strengthening and evolving since 1946, because what is legacy, but a gift, a bequest we receive from our predecessors. Our legacy from Sarah Scott and Margaret Hawkins and their friends is rich, decisive and resolute. (Since the beginning) we have committed ourselves to enriching, and helping sustain the lives of African-Americans and others of African ancestry.”
16TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
MARGARET T. JOHNSON
2003-2007
“The legacy of The Links, Incorporated is second to none. Our legacy is a phenomenal gift and an awesome responsibility. We must always be focused on what we are, who we are, what we have done and what we can do to better serve. Let us pledge to work together in alignment with our national officers to ensure that our legacy remains strong and bright.”
17TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
MARY F. CURRIE
2007-2011
“We have unselfishly offered our time, talent and support to continue the Southern Area’s legacy of friendship and service. The creativity of our programming, the depth of our service and the warmth of our friendship continue beyond measure. We have had many exciting accomplishments.”
18TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
ENEID A. FRANCIS
2011-2015
“One of the most important things we can do is to help kids be more prepared academically so that they stay in school. Experience demonstrates that arts integration levels the playing field in education.”
19TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
ANNE HERRIOTT
2015-2019
“Embracing Our Legacy, Fulfilling Our Promise, reflected Herriott’s efforts to build upon our rich legacy of both friendship and service. Under her leadership, members successfully embraced three transformational signature Initiatives.”
20TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
SYLVIA PERRY
2019-2023
“Collective Excellence: Elevating Our Friendship, Enriching Our Service” is the theme of the current Area Director. With a foundation of servant leadership as the core of her term, The Area is growing in friendship and service under her leadership. Her favorite quote is, “Excellence is the fine line between what you can do, and what you are capable of.”
SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
VANESSA FALLS
