Since 1987, Windy City Links has touched the lives of over 15,000 African Americans living on the south side of Chicago.
In July 1984, a group of thirty-eight professional and civic-oriented African American women met to combine their talents, interests, and resources to improve the quality of life in the local community. The targeted areas were cultural enrichment, civic and community involvement, youth services, and educational programs.
The group adopted the name, "Windy City Women's League," suggested by Peggy Duke. In addition to the hands-on personal involvement, all projects were funded by members. The Windy City Women's League networked with other organizations and welfare agencies to maximize services to the community. The Windy City Chapter was chartered on May 2, 1987, by Regina Jollivettc Frazier, National President. It became the fifty-sixth chapter of the Central Area and the two-hundred-eighteenth chapter of The Links. Incorporated.
Our Impact and Reach
The Windy City (IL) Chapter follows the mandates of the national organization, The Links, Incorporated, and delivers its community service in five facets each one focused on a different aspect of the African American experience. Services to Youth Facet (STY), The Arts Facet (The Arts), National Trends and Services Facet (NTS), Health and Human Services Facet (HHS), and International Trends and Services (ITS).
Four of the five facets are integrated in efforts to provide H.E.A.L.S. programming.
Services to Youth
The Links, Incorporated's first program facet, Services to Youth, aims to empower African-American children to lead alongside their peers. The organization continues to create programs addressing educational, cultural, health, social awareness, career development, and mentoring needs of youth.
The Arts
The Links' support of the arts can be traced back to our cultured co-founder, Margaret Roselle Hawkins. Her passion for creative expression helped inspire the establishment of The Arts facet in 1964 at the 14th National Assembly.
National Trends and Services
The primary objective of the NTS facet is to address and diminish disparities within communities. We actively advocate for improved access to essential services, provide educational resources to raise awareness, and empower the community to effectively participate in finding sustainable solutions.
International Trends and Services
The International Trends and Services facet aims to enhance global programs that cater to the educational, health, and cultural needs of people of African descent worldwide. All programs under this facet are implemented using service delivery methods that specifically target women and their families.
Health and Human Services Facet
The Health and Human Services facet's mission is to promote and facilitate programs that support the maintenance of good health and the elimination of chronic health disparities in communities of color. This is achieved through education, health advocacy, and optimal utilization of health resources.