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.

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.

3.1 linear feet

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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.