Guide to The Links, Inc. San Jose Chapter Records

History San Jose Research Library
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San Jose, CA 95112
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Email: research@historysanjose.org
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History San Jose. All rights reserved.


Title: The Links, Inc. San Jose Chapter Records
Date: 1978-2011
Collection number: 2011-49
Collectors: Washington, Mary
Extent: 3.1 linear feet
Repository: History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, CA 95112
Abstract: Records and photographs documenting the activities of the San Jose Chapter of the Links, Inc., officially initiated on June 6, 1981. According to the Chapter's historical notes, the Chapter began meeting in 1979, after the Peninsula Chapter approached Precida Harris about starting a San Jose Chapter. Mary Washington took the initiative in spearheading the organization, gathering together interested women in October at her home to talk to Western Regional Director Marion Sutherland and forming the San Jose Interest Group. An evaluation by the National Chapter Establishment Officer took place in February 1981 and shortly thereafter the Executive Council of the National Links approved the San Jose Interest Group as a future Chapter member. The Chapter was formally initiated in June 1981, with Mary Washington as President.
Physical location: History San Jose Collection Center
Languages: The contents of the collection are in English.

Access

The records are open to members of The Links, Inc., but are not open to the public except by permission of the San Jose Chapter. Contact the Curator of Library and Archives for further information.

Publication Rights

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

Preferred Citation

The Links, Inc. San Jose Chapter Records, 2011-49. History San Jose Research Library, San Jose, California.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Mary Washington in 2011.

Processing History

Processed by History San Jose volunteers and staff in 2011.

Related Collections

Associated material in other repositories includes:
  • The Links, Inc., Chicago Chapter Archives - Chicago Public Library - Carter G. Woodson Regional Library.
  • The Links, Inc. Eastern Area Archival Collection (Collection 3055), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Other Finding Aids

History San Jose's PastPerfect catalog, which includes folder and item-level catalog records, as well as many digitized images, is searchable at http://historysanjose.pastperfect-online.com

Biography

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 270 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the nation's oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
The San Jose Chapter of the Links, Inc. was officially initiated on June 6, 1981. According to the Chapter's historical notes, the Chapter actually began activities in 1979, after the Peninsula Chapter approached Precida Harris about starting a San Jose Chapter. Mary Washington took the initiative in spearheading the organization, gathering together interested women in October at her home to talk to Western Regional Director Marion Sutherland and forming the San Jose Interest Group. An evaluation by the National Chapter Establishment Officer took place in February 1981 and shortly thereafter the Executive Council of the National Links approved the San Jose Interest Group as a future Chapter member. The Chapter was formally initiated in June 1981, with Mary Washington as President.

Scope and Content Summary

According to the Chapter's historical notes, the Chapter actually began meeting in 1979, after the Peninsula Chapter approached Precida Harris about starting a San Jose Chapter. Mary Washington took the initiative in spearheading the organization, gathering together interested women in October at her home to talk to Western Regional Director Marion Sutherland and forming the San Jose Interest Group. An evaluation by the National Chapter Establishment Officer took place in February 1981 and shortly thereafter the Executive Council of the National Links approved the San Jose Interest Group as a future Chapter member. The Chapter was formally initiated in June 1981, with Mary Washington as President.
The records of the San Jose Chapter of the Links, Inc. include papers and photographs, and are divided between 1) the chapter's correspondence, election and membership records, history of the chapter, minutes, and finances; 2) their social activities, community outreach programs and fundraisers; and 3) their participation in regional and national Links, Inc. conferences. Also included is a separate box of loose photographs from Chapter events and regional conferences.

Indexing Terms

Related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Subjects

Links, Inc.
Women--California--Societies, etc.--History--20th century.
African Americans--California--San Jose.
Business & finance.

Genres and Forms of Materials

correspondence
administrative records
photographs


Box 1

Series 1. Chapter History and Business 1978-2011

Physical Description: 1 linear foot.

Series Scope and Content Summary

Series includes the Chapter's historical notes, records of the San Jose Interest Group, correspondence, governing documents, election records, membership and induction records, Chapter minutes, finances and memorials.
Box 2

Series 2.  Chapter Social Events and Community Outreach 1981-2011

Physical Description: 1 linear foot.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series includes the Chapter's social events and community programs: 1) Committee records for arts facet, international facet, and national trends & services; 2) Chapter Yearbooks; 3) social gatherings, including Chapter anniversaries; 4) community outreach programs and fundraisers in the areas of health, education, social services, and the arts.
Box 3

Series 3.  Workshops and Conferences 1982-2007

Physical Description: 1 linear foot.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains programs and supporting documentation for the San Jose Chapter's Workshops, and member attendance at the Northern California Cluster Workshops, Western Area Conferences, and several National Assembly events.