New Haven (CT) Chapter
Leadership

Cynthia Hall McCraven

President

Toni N. Harp

Vice President

Linda Baylor

Treasurer

Members

April Adams-Johnson

Linda Baylor

Keisha Blake-Harp

Maritza Bond **

Sheila Carmon

Elsie Chapman***

Wendy A. Clarke

LaTatia Colbert-Reed

Deborah Dyett Desir***

Leslie Douglas-Churchwell**

Patricia Downing***

Patricia Free-Brett***

 

   *Platinum
 **On Leave
***Alumna

Joy A. Gary

Cathy R. Graves***

Jamil A. Harp

Toni N. Harp

Cheryl Henderson

Tamika Hollis

Tanya A. Hughes

Tamiko Jackson-McArthur

Kyle Marie Jones**

Jenell Marie Lawson

Sherene Mason

Cynthia Hall McCraven

Jean Patterson-Downing*

Jennifer Pierre-Thomas**

Dara Richards

Dilice Robertson

Andrea M. Scott**

Rolan Young Smith

Carolyn Louise Streets

Deborah G. Thomas***

Tracey Twitty-Philpot

Gretchen Vaughn

Karla Wallace

"My greatest reward has been establishing friendships with women in the Chapter whom I might never have gotten to know and enjoy otherwise."

Link Elsie Blackshear Chapman

"We took care of business but we had fun too, many times until late at night. I always came home with a smile on my face and never took a leave of absence."

Link Patricia Downing, Celebrating 54 Years of Membership in 2024

Our History

Our illustrious chapter, The New Haven (CT) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was Chartered on December 18, 1972. We represent the longest-standing chapter in the State of Connecticut. Since our founding, the Chapter has maintained a significant legacy of lasting contributions to the community and has worked tirelessly toward enhancing the quality of life and serving the needs of Greater New Haven. We are proud that some of the New Haven Chapter’s initiatives have gained national recognition. Working under the guidelines of the National Organization of The Links, Incorporated, The New Haven Chapter provides outstanding programs. The Chapter’s members are women of influence and accomplishment who serve through the organization’s five facets:

Our Chapter Goals and Strategy

Our Chapter Goals 

The New Haven (CT) Chapter of The Links, Inc. continues to embody the highest principles of friendship and service through community service programs and community-focused chapter activities. Through the leadership of professional women: 

  • Implement and maintain an Umbrella program that involves 100% active participation of each Chapter member from 2020 through 2024 that will serve St. Martin de Porres Academy;

  • The Umbrella program shall incorporate the 5 facets in support of the students;

  • Design, develop and implement and evaluation tool to assess the effectiveness of the Chapter’s umbrella program; and, 

  • Increase the visibility of the Chapter members in one or more of the National Program Initiatives.

Our Strategic Goals 

  • Promote and engage in educational, civic and intercultural activities for the benefit of the community;

  • Increase the number of sustainable and measurable programs;

  • Contribute to the formulation of a positive, productive and culturally diverse society while preserving our history;

  • Create partnerships which promote activism that fosters transformational change in the community;

  • Ensure chapter continuity by identifying and nurturing the next generation of The Links, Incorporated leadership;

  • Support the National Organization through thought leadership as regards enhancing the facets, programs and other activities.