The Fairfield County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated started in 1975 as a service group called “The Associates”. It was important that any group that desired to become a chapter of The Links, Incorporated demonstrate their alignment with the goals of the national organization by doing significant community and civic oriented work.

Clara Scroggins, a long time resident of Stamford, Connecticut had established a relationship with the Eastern Area Director of The Links, Incorporated, Link Thelma Hardiman who had expressed an interest in forming a Links Chapter in Fairfield County some years before 1974. However, at the time, there were not enough women that she knew in the area that shared The Links vision.

In July of 1974 Clara Scroggins heard through mutual friends, that Velmarie Davis and family were moving to Stamford. Although the two had never met, previously, they did meet and a fast friendship developed.

A short time later, Velmarie moved to Stamford. In this same timeframe, a large group of African Americans in the corporate community moved into Fairfield County Connecticut and friendships amongst the families blossomed.

Clara and Velmarie contacted all the possible candidates they knew and invited them to join “The Associates”, a volunteer group that would perform community service. A year later the group had fulfilled all the criteria for the establishment of a Links Chapter, which happened in spring 1976. The first president of the Fairfield County Chapter of The Links Incorporated was Velmarie Davis. Both the National President of The Links, Incorporated, Link Pauline Ellison and the Eastern Area Director, Link Thelma Hardiman attended the chartering ceremony and festivities.

Charter Members:

Dorothy Arnette, Ann Bush, Eleanora Clarke, Velmarie Davis*, Dorothy Ellington, Jeannie Ellis, Brenda Grant, Eileen Howard, Mark Howard, Vera Hilliard, Sheila Mingo, Alice Mitchell, Cheryl Neal, Otherine Neisler, Thelma Payton, Patricia Pinado, Doris Randall, Myrtle Roane, Clara Scroggins*, Margaret Strayhorne, Janice Taylor, Ruby Terrell, Leila Toledo, Louise Travis *Chapter Organizers