Charter Member of Norfolk Links Honored

NORFOLK

The Norfolk (VA) Chapter of Links Inc saluted Link Kathryn Bibbins, sole surviving Charter Member as the Chapter recently celebrated 60 years of service and friendship to the Norfolk Community.  

In February 1952, the Norfolk Chapter of Links, Inc sponsored by Lynchburg, Virginia, was established with fifteen charter members and Margaret Lofton as founder.   The charter members were: Emily Alston, Kathryn Bibbins, Emma Brown, Alice Christopher, Margaret Lofton, Vivian Mason, Eva Moore, Annette H. Richter, Geraldine Rogers, Ocie Shields, Gladys Whitfield, Josephine Young, Marguerite Young and Undine Young.

Link Kathryn was born on August 3, 1907; she is now 104 years young and a lifelong Norfolk resident.  Link Kathryn graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and Hampton Institute.  She taught school in Norfolk, while teaching at Booker T. Jr. High School in 1936; she married and had to leave the school system.  Later she was able to return to teaching and was appointed principal of Lindenwood Elementary School where she retired in 1970.

Immediately following the chartering, Norfolk Links began setting their agenda to focus upon Services to Youth in the African-American community. One of their first projects was to assist in providing enrichment experiences for the Quest Club, academically gifted students at Jacox Junior High School.  A $1,000.00 Memorial Scholarship was established to assist a worthy female student to pursue higher education at a school of her choice. The Norfolk (VA) Chapter of Links continues to build on the foundation of our founding Link Sisters.

In June 2011 during its 27th Annual Salute to Scholastic Stars the chapter gave a $4000 scholarship to a deserving young lady.  Honor graduates from all Norfolk High Schools were presented certificates. The chapter has a partnership with Lake Taylor Middle School; certificates were given to honor students. Local students were taken to the Sandler Center for Performing Arts to see the Nut Cracker.