The Fort Pierce (FL) Chapter, The Links Incorporated was chartered on October 30, 1976.  The name was officially changed to The TreasureCoast (FL) Chapter in November 2012 by The Links, Incorporated Executive Board.
 
The chapter’s chartering was a result of the efforts of our co-organizers, Arlena Benton Lee and the late Ernestine Davis. They were encouraged to organize a chapter by the late Leola Nixon, who was a member of the Orlando (FL) Chapter and a sister of the late Ernestine Davis.
 
Twenty-two women were inducted in a formal ceremony held at Holiday InnOceanside, Fort Pierce (FL) with Southern Area Director, Julia Purnell, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as the installing officer (who later became the 7th National President). Assisting in the induction ceremony were Delores
Albury, Southern Area Secretary of Pensacola and Regina Frazier, National Member-at-Large of Miami (who later became the 9th National President). A very impressive “get-acquainted” social evening was held at the home of Arlena Benton Lee, Chapter President of the newly charted
organization.
 
The chapters represented in this historic occasion were: West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola, and Miami, Florida; and Brunswick, Georgia.
 
Our chartered members are/were: Irene Baker (deceased), Helen F. Barr, Algernon Bolen (deceased), Carnelle B. Clifton, Ernestine Davis (deceased), Gertrude Baker Dixon, Parolee P. Ellington (deceased), Lon McIntosh Floyd (deceased), Theresa D. Gaines, Delores Y. Hayes (deceased), Joelene M. Hayling, Zanobia Jefferson (deceased), Arlena Benton Lee, Annie Frank Little (deceased), Emma Adams Loman, Florida Mobley (deceased), Wilester Moore Caynon (deceased), Cora L. Monroe, Margaret Paige (deceased), Barbara J. Scott, Katherine Washington and Marian C. Williams.
 

Our first officers were: Arlena Benton Lee (President), Ernestine Davis (Vice President), Parolee P. Ellington (Recording Secretary), Delores Y. Hayes (Corresponding Secretary), Annie Frank Little (Treasurer), Helen F. Barr (Parliamentarian), Algernon Bolen (Reporter) and Wilester Moore
Caynon (Chaplain).

 

 

In our first year, major accomplishments include:  
     - Developing special reading programs and tutorial services to help
       educationally. disadvantaged and culturally deprived students;
     - Sponsoring a guest lecturer, Mrs. Hooshang Kadivar, from Lebanon,
       who shared information concerning Iranian culture, government, food,
       agriculture, and economic resources.
     - Presenting holiday gifts and musical entertainment for the elderly at
       Abbiejean Russell Care Center. 

 

 

The first inductee into our membership was Jovita Williams in June 1982.
 
Our chapter has continued to exemplify the vision and promote the core values
and program initiatives of The Links, Incorporated for more than forty-three years.