Finding aid for the Links of Cleveland, Incorporated Records
Title:
Links of Cleveland, Incorporated Records
Repository:
Western Reserve Historical Society
Phone: 216-721-5722
http://www.wrhs.org
Creator:
Links of Cleveland, Incorporated
Dates:
1946-1991
Quantity:
3.40 linear feet (4 containers)
Abstract:
 The Links of Cleveland Incorporated was established in 1950 as a local chapter of a national non-profit, non-partisan volunteer organization of African American women. Beginning with its first president, Rosalind Garvin, the organization committed to educational, cultural, social, and civic activities to raise funds for charitable causes. Recipients of this fundraising have included the Cleveland National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Karamu House; the Eliza Bryant Home; Forest City Hospital; the Jewish Welfare Fund; and, the Phillis Wheatley Association. The collection consists of administrative files, correspondence, budgets, financial records, minutes, memoranda, membership lists, newsletters, reports, programs, press releases, subject files, statements, histories, bylaws, guest books, handbooks, publications, transcripts, articles of incorporation, agendas, project files, and presidential files.
Identification:
MS 4845
Location:
closed stacks
Language:
The records are in English

History of the Links of Cleveland, Incorporated

The Links of Cleveland, Incorporated (f. 1950) was established as a local chapter of a national non-profit, non-partisan, volunteer organization of African American women founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 9, 1946 by Margaret Roselle Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott. The Links of Cleveland, Ohio, was incorporated on October 28, 1950 with 14 charter members under the first president, Rosalind Garvin, and founding secretary, Bernice McAllister. The organization is committed to educational, cultural, social, and civic activities, many of which it sponsors to raise funds for charitable causes. Recipients of its fundraising activities have included the Cleveland National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Karamu House, the Eliza Bryant Home, Forest City Hospital, the Jewish Welfare Fund, and the Phillis Wheatley Association.

The Chapter's first project was a Talent Search at the WHK Auditorium on May 15, 1951 that recognized honor students of the Cleveland Public Schools. Subsequent programs have included a November 1952 presentation of the Metropolitan Opera Company prima ballerina, Janet Collins. That benefit was a collaborative effort with the Cleveland Girl Friends and supported the Cleveland NAACP. Another program included the 1976 "Ellingtonia" dinner dance featuring the Duke Ellington Orchestra for the support of the Karamu House Theater. In 1978 the Chapter sponsored the Cleveland Museum of Art exhibit, "Afro-American Tradition in the Decorative Arts," and in 1985 collaborated with the Western Reserve Historical Society and Cuyahoga Community College to sponsor the exhibit, "Women of Courage."


click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Links of Cleveland, Incorporated

Scope and Content

The Links of Cleveland, Incorporated Records, 1946-1991, consist primarily of administrative files, correspondence, budgets, financial records, minutes, memoranda, membership list, newsletters, reports, programs, press releases, subject files, statements, histories, bylaws, guest books, handbooks, publications, transcripts, articles of incorporation, agendas, project files, and presidential files.

This collection is of value to researchers studying the history of Cleveland, Ohio, and seeking materials on the history and activities of The Links of Cleveland Incorporated, its members, and the national body. Those interested in the history of African American women, the Black middle class, and civil rights in Cleveland, Ohio, will find this collection useful. The collection documents trends in African American philanthropy, African American organizations, and African American arts. Those studying issues related to education and civic affairs in Cleveland will find this collection useful. Noted correspondents and files include Dr. Zelma Watson George, first chapter president Rose Garvin, historian Adrienne Lash Jones, trustee Leatrice Madison, and subsequent presidents Christine Branch, Juanita Storey, Frances King, and Audrey Kelker. Also included are files related to the Afro-American Tradition in the Decorative Arts, Black Folk Art, and Ellingtonia, a musical tribute to composer Duke Ellington.

Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series.
Series I: Administrative Files is arranged into two sub-series.
Sub-series A: President Files is maintained in original order chronologically by presidential term, then alphabetically by document type, and then chronologically.
Sub-Series B: General Files is arranged alphabetically by document type and then chronologically.
Series II: Project Files is arranged alphabetically by project name, then alphabetically by document type, and then chronologically.
Series III: Subject Files is arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

African American arts -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Exhibitions.
African American philanthropists -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
African American women -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Societies and clubs.
African Americans -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Societies and clubs.
Charities -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Cleveland Museum of Art.
Garvin, Rosalind.
George, Zelma, 1903-1994.
Jones, Adrienne Lash.
Karamu House.
Links of Cleveland, Inc.
Madison, Leatrice.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Cleveland Branch.
Women -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Societies and clubs.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4845 Links of Cleveland, Incorporated Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of Frances M. King for The Links of Cleveland, Inc., 1993

Processing Information

Processed by Thelma Pierce and Samuel W. Black in 2001


Detailed Description of The Collection



Series I: Administrative Files, 1950-1992; undated




Sub-series A: President Files, 1950-1985; undated

Box 1 / Folder 1
Garvin, Rosalind, correspondence, 1950-1952 and undated; cover page, 1950; minutes, 1950; plaque, NAACP Life Membership, 1954; programs, 1951; and telegram, undated, .




Box 1 / Folder 2
White, Lauretta, correspondence, 1951-1953




Box 1 / Folder 3
McAllister, Bernice, cards, 1956; correspondence, 1954-1957 and undated; and telegrams, 1955-1956, .




Box 1 / Folder 4
Glenn, Fern, budgets, 1965-1967; correspondence,1966-1967; invitation, 1965; minutes, 1967; program, undated; proposal, 1965; and telegram, 1967, .




Box 1 / Folder 5
Fuster, Maryette, budget, 1969; correspondence, 1967-1969; handbook, 1969; minutes, 1967-1969; plaque, 1968; and roster, 1968, .




Box 1 / Folder 6
Jones, Adrienne, audit, 1968-1970; budget, 1970; correspondence, 1970-1971; minutes, 1969-1971 and undated; press release, 1970; program, 1970; proposal, 1970; and reports, 1970-1971, .




Box 1 / Folder 7
Kelker, Audrey, correspondence, 1971; memo, 1971; minutes, 1971-1973 and undated; and receipts, 1972-1973, .




Box 1 / Folder 8
Ritchie, Beatrice, correspondence, 1973-1974; membership list, 1973-1975; minutes, 1975; receipts, 1973-1974; and report, 1974, .




Box 1 / Folder 9
Wilkerson, Janet, audit, 1977; certificates, 1977; minutes, 1975-1977 and undated; and reports, 1975-1977, undated




Box 1 / Folder 10
Storey, Juanita, audit, 1977-1978; budget, 1977; correspondence, 1977-1979 and undated; membership lists, 1978 and undated; minutes, 1977-1979; notes, undated; and reports, 1978, .




Box 1 / Folder 11
King, Frances, agenda, 1981; audit, 1976; budget, 1980-1981; committee lists, 1976-1982; correspondence, 1979-1983 and undated; guidelines, 1979-1982 and undated; membership lists, 1973-1978; minutes, 1978-1983 and undated; and programs, 1978-1983, undated




Box 1 / Folder 12
Madison, Leatrice, budget, 1982; correspondence, 1982-983; guidelines, 1981; membership lists, 1982 and undated; and minutes, 1978-1983, .




Box 1 / Folder 13
Branch, Christine, certificate, 1958; correspondence, 1983, 1985; minutes, 1983-1985; and proclamation, 1985, .







Sub-series B: General Files, 1950-1991; undated

Box 1 / Folder 14
Agendas, 1950-1986




Box 1 / Folder 15
Articles of incorporation, 1975




Box 1 / Folder 16
Budgets, 1955-1978




Box 1 / Folder 17
Bylaws, Central Area, 1951-1988




Box 1 / Folder 18
Bylaws, National, 1951-1986




Box 1 / Folder 19
Ceremonies and rituals, 1960-1987




Box 1 / Folder 20
Certificates, 1972-1975




Box 1 / Folder 21-23
Correspondence, 1950-1991




Box 1 / Folder 24-25
Financial records, 1951-1979




Box 2 / Folder 1
Financial records, 1980-1986




Box 2 / Folder 2
Guest book, 1962-1966




Box 2 / Folder 3
Handbooks, 1969-1972




Box 2 / Folder 4
History, local and national, 1986




Box 2 / Folder 5
Membership, 1950-1992




Box 2 / Folder 6-8
Minutes, 1950-1992




Box 2 / Folder 9
National Assembly, 1981




Box 2 / Folder 10
Newsletters, 1950-1992




Box 2 / Folder 11
Permits, 1980




Box 2 / Folder 12
Press releases, 1975-1984




Box 2 / Folder 13
Programs, 1951-1991




Box 2 / Folder 14
Publications, 1946-1973




Box 2 / Folder 15
Reports, 1950-1983




Box 2 / Folder 16
Statement, 1991




Box 2 / Folder 17
Transcript, 1959





Series II: Project Files, 1961-1991; undated

Box 2 / Folder 18-24
Afro-American Tradition in the Decorative Arts, copyright registration, correspondence, and curriculum guide, 1972-1985




Box 3 / Folder 1-20
Afro-American Tradition in the Decorative Arts, description, evaluations, financial records, history, lists, manual, map of exhibit, minutes, monographs, notes, presentations, press release, proposals, publications, reports, schedule, speeches, teaching aids, and workshops, 1972-1979




Box 3 / Folder 21
American Cancer Society Ball, committee lists, correspondence, minutes, programs, reports, seating charts, and sponsors lists, 1990-1991




Box 3 / Folder 22
Black Folk Art, correspondence, 1984




Box 3 / Folder 23-30
Discovery, agendas, application, certificates, contracts, correspondence, financial records, lists, memos, minutes, newspaper clippings, press release, publications, reports, and workshop materials, 1983-1986




Box 3 / Folder 31-36
Ellingtonia, agendas, correspondence, financial records, lists, memos, press releases, publications, and reports, 1974-1976




Box 3 / Folder 37
Ohio Black Family, agendas, correspondence, fact sheet, memo, minutes, newspaper clippings, notes, public service announcement, outlines, and statement of goals, 1983-1984




Box 4 / Folder 1
Ohio Cluster Meeting, budgets, correspondence, and workshop materials, 1983-1984




Box 4 / Folder 2
Search for Talented Youth, agenda, correspondence, minutes, newspaper clippings, and reports, 1961-1964




Box 4 / Folder 3-4
Services to Youth, agenda, certificate, correspondence, evaluation forms, financial records, information forms, lists, memos, newspaper clippings, notes, press release, programs, reports, and test information, 1951




Box 4 / Folder 5
Sickle Cell Anemia, correspondence and financial records, 1972




Box 4 / Folder 6-7
Women of Courage, correspondence, history, itineraries, newspaper clippings, notes, programs, proposal, and scrapbook, 1984-1986





Series III: Subject Files, 1951-1992

Box 4 / Folder 8
Chagrin Falls Park, 1960




Box 4 / Folder 9
George, Zelma, 1971-1975




Box 4 / Folder 10
George Gund Foundation, annual report, 1977




Box 4 / Folder 11
Jelliffe, Russell, 1980




Box 4 / Folder 12
Job Corps Center, 1967-1969




Box 4 / Folder 13
Metropolitan Cleveland Jobs Council, National Alliance of Businessmen, 1971




Box 4 / Folder 14
Newspaper clippings, 1967-1992




Box 4 / Folder 15
Sickle Cell disease, 1951-1972