Linked in Friendship
Published:Thursday | January 28, 2016 | 12:00 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
Linked in friendship ... connected in service, some of the most powerful African-American women, representing The Links Incorporated are on the island engaging citizens in a four-day Global Linkage visit.
On Wednesday night, the 160-strong female contingent hosted a cocktail reception at the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara in Montego Bay, and had in attendance Mayor Glendon Harris; his wife, Dr Angella Samuel-Harris; developer, Michele Rollins; We Care for Cornwall's Candis Craig; and regional director at the Jamaica Tourist Board, Janice Allen.
The 70-year-old organisation, which has among its members congresswomen, ambassadors, attorneys, medical doctors, entrepreneurs and mayors, spent Thursday working with three western Jamaica primary schools and the Cornwall Regional Hospital.
The schools - Mt Zion Primary and St Mary's in St James and Watford Hill in Hanover - received supplies including computers and clothing from the women.
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN OF COLOUR
The Links Incorporated membership consists of nearly 14,000 professional women of colour in 282 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
"We are one of the oldest and largest volunteer-service organisations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry," said the organisation's international president, Dr Glenda Newell-Harris.
Newell-Harris said that as a physician, the Cornwall Regional Hospital was dear to her heart, and a result, a linkage will be established with the facility.
"Our goal is not only to work in partnership as a team with our Jamaican colleagues, but to also learn from them. Our partnership is not a one-time visit, but a visit that will build on our current partnerships, and one that will engage more of our members in long-term relationships over time," she stated.
Newell-Harris said Jamaica was selected as a beneficiary this year because of her long-standing relationship with the country.
"I have been coming here for years and know what the needs are," she stated.