The mission was very clear from the start to do some good by helping those less fortunate.
To raise the cultural level of our race and enjoy the social company of our friends.
That's what the founders set out to do and for the past 65 years the members of the organization
now known as the Lynx Incorporated have done just that.
Based on engaging the African American community through civic, educational and cultural opportunities
Sarah Strickland Scott and Margaret Roselle Hawkins formed an enter city club in Philadelphia
in 1946 that would support African American women like no other club had done before in
their area.
They invited seven other women who were friends to participate and accept their civic roles
and responsibilities in society.
Gaining momentum, each friend invited a friend from another city and began organizing and
developing groups that eventually became known as chapters of the Lynx.
All of the initial chapters were along the eastern seaboard.
The first chapter was in the hometown of the co-founders, Philadelphia.
The second chapter was formed in Atlantic City in 1947.
The third chapter was organized in Washington DC.
By the time the organization had its first assembly in 1949, there were a total of 14
chapters in 10 states.
By 1950, the chapters had grown in numbers to 28 with three in California making the
Lynx an organization with a wingspan from the east to the west coast.
In the organization's early years, Negroes were still seeking the promise of freedom
and equality.
Through its vigilance committee, the Philadelphia Lynx raised their voices publicly about the
treatment of Negroes in their city.
They sent telegrams, decreeing or praising the actions of local businesses and demanding
results.
Objections from the club about images portrayed in their store windows prompted Philadelphia
merchants to remove toys, books and clothing.
They commended Josephine Baker for refusing to accept an engagement in Philadelphia without
the assurance that Negro musicians and stagehands would be employed.
And they even sent a telegram to Bing Crosby for refusing to let Negro golfer Ted Rhodes
play in his California golf tournament.
Membership in the organization remains a privilege.
To this day, a prospective member must embody the Lynx core values and the acceptance of
an invitation requires a commitment to serve and a capacity for friendship.
Indeed, the mission of the organization has remained ever constant, linked in friendship,
connected in service.
There have been 15 national presidents during this 65-year period charged to carry out and
expand the dreams of the founders through its programming partnerships and collaborations.
The organization is focused on delivering its services through five areas, better known
as the facets among Lynx.
They are services to youth, the arts, national trends and services, international trends
and services, and the most recently established facet, health and human services.
Through these five areas, the organization's chapters have had a substantial impact in
making an indelible difference in the lives of people and communities they touch.
Today the Lynx, Incorporated, is represented by 274 chapters, over 12,000 professional
women of color throughout the United States and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Its members have diverse backgrounds in business, government, law, medicine, media, academia,
philanthropy and the arts.
There are also honor members selected for recognition of noteworthy achievement at
the national level.
This short list of distinguished women includes Etta Moten Barnett, Marian Anderson, Matta
Wilder Dobbs, Patricia Roberts Harris, Constance Baker Motley, Elizabeth Duncan Koontz, Leon
Teen Price and Rosa Parks.
Over the years, the Lynx have made substantial contributions to other organizations aimed
at enriching the lives of African Americans.
The United Negro College Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, have each received over $1 million
in contributions from the organization.
Most recently, the Lynx, Incorporated has committed a $1 million gift to the National
Civil Rights Museum.
They have provided more than $24 million in scholarships to promising African American
students.
With its members contributing more than 500,000 volunteer hours annually, the Lynx have become
synonymous with excellence in service.
One idea of Friends dedicated to service has grown into an international organization
of educated, purposeful women, affecting change, addressing economic and social inequities
in their communities.
Well, better be considerate.
Welcome everyone, joining us in barefoot and from your fellow students and classmates
music
music
music
music
music
You
