For 75 years, the Houston (TX) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, has helped strengthen Greater Houston through friendship, community service, advocacy, and a commitment to improving lives.
Chartered in March 1951, the historic chapter is celebrating three-quarters of a century of service, marking a milestone that reflects not only its members’ legacy but also the organization’s lasting contributions to Houston and communities beyond.
“We are super excited. We are celebrating 75 years of service here in the Houston area,” said Janice Hale-Harris, chapter president. “We’re just excited that the legacy has lived on and that we’ve been able to continue the work.”
The anniversary celebration also provides an opportunity to recognize an important part of the chapter’s history: The Blue Triangle Community Center, which welcomed the organization when opportunities for Black women to gather and socialize were severely restricted.
A welcoming place
In the 1950s, finding spaces where Black women could comfortably gather was no small accomplishment. Many chapter meetings took place in members’ homes, where hosting expectations included having particular types of silverware and china.
The Blue Triangle Community Center offered an alternative.
“Back in the 1950s, there were very few places where women of color could go and meet,” Hale-Harris explained. “The Blue Triangle opened up, and they said we could meet there, which was very unusual.”
She recalled a period when Black people faced discrimination in hotels and restaurants and were still forced to sit at the back of buses.
“So, this was a big accomplishment for us to have a place in our community that was nice where we could go and meet,” she said.
That historical connection remains central to the anniversary celebration. The Houston Chapter, working with the Houston White Rose Foundation, Incorporated, will support the Blue Triangle Community Center and provide scholarships as part of its 75th-anniversary activities.
Service with purpose
Founded nationally by two women who brought together seven friends in Philadelphia, The Links developed into a service organization committed to strengthening communities. Its work encompasses five programmatic areas: Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services.
For Houston Links, those priorities translate into community engagement, education, advocacy, and opportunities for personal development.
Youth services remain particularly important, with programming designed to help children learn, grow, and reach their potential. The organization also addresses national issues, including voter participation, financial literacy, and community involvement.
“We look at national trends and services, and that includes everything from ‘Get Out the Vote’ to helping people really understand how to manage their finances,” Hale-Harris said. “So, it’s a lot about advocacy.”
The chapter also works to preserve and promote the arts, recognizing their importance to cultural expression and education, particularly among young people.
Its international initiatives extend beyond Houston, with partnerships involving schools and organizations throughout the African diaspora and Caribbean to help communities access services and resources they might otherwise lack.
Healthier communities
Health and human services represent another important component of the organization’s community impact. The chapter advocates for healthy lifestyles and greater public understanding of health, including the importance of preventive care.
One example is its Nov. 21 partnership with Bread of Life, which is hosting a food giveaway and health fair. The Houston Links are also partnering with Colgate-Palmolive to provide free dental screenings for children ages 0-12. Older participants will receive toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss.
The initiative reflects the chapter’s understanding that meaningful community service often begins with addressing everyday needs that can have lasting consequences for families.
Building the next 75 years
Hale-Harris joined the organization 11 years ago after being introduced to it by Carolyn Codwell, whose grandmother was among the founders of the Houston chapter. The combination of friendship and service appealed to her, eventually leading her to take on the presidency.
Having previously chaired other nonprofit organizations, Hale-Harris saw opportunities to help the chapter evolve while preserving its foundational mission. She particularly emphasized succession planning as essential to sustaining organizations with histories spanning multiple generations.
“When we have organizations that are 50, 60, 70 years old, we have to think about how we are doing succession planning to get ready for the next generation,” she said.
Her goal is to help position the chapter for continued success, ensuring its institutional knowledge, relationships, and commitment to service remain strong.
“This is an organization of legacy,” Hale-Harris said. “It’s not just legacy for the members who are in the organization. It’s really legacy for Houston.”
She noted that the Houston area has seven other Links chapters, in addition to the Beaumont chapter, collectively contributing to community initiatives throughout the region.
Celebrate the legacy
The Houston Chapter’s 75th-anniversary luncheon is open to the public through ticket purchases.
The celebration is scheduled for Nov. 14 at the Junior League, beginning at 11:30 a.m. National Links dignitaries are expected to attend, and tickets are available online.
The anniversary is more than a celebration of organizational longevity. It recognizes generations of Black women who built relationships, created opportunities, and invested in their communities when those opportunities were not readily available to them.
After 75 years, the Houston Links are celebrating their accomplishments while preparing to ensure that friendship, service, and community impact remain part of Houston’s future.
