Who We Are

The Raritan Valley (NJ) Chapter was chartered on April 26, 1986 as the 213th Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. Its organizer, Johnnie Bynum Harris, called together women with like interests who were determined to make a difference in their communities. There were 23 members who met at Johnnie Bynum Harris’ house in Somerset, NJ. The members began as an interest group, volunteering at food banks and visiting nursing homes. It was Annie Evans Mitchell who suggested the name of the organization: “Raritan Valley” representing three counties of - Middlesex, Somerset and Union.

Once chartered, members were involved in several community endeavors. Members volunteered at a food bank in Somerville, New Jersey and at Complete Care at Willow Creek Rehabilitation and Care Center, formerly known as King James Nursing Home in Franklin Township. They provided toiletries, blankets, and other personal items to its residents. At Thanksgiving they decorated food baskets and distributed them to needy families in the community.

Fundraising was and remains a large part of programming. The first Premier Emerald Ball held on May 14, 1988, was a huge success with the chapter raising $10,000. Other fundraisers included a jazz brunch, where they honored and acknowledged scholarship recipients and awarded distinguished Black women of New Jersey with a black bust, known as the Luminous Award.  Since 2014, the community looks forward to the annual Raritan Valley (NJ) Swing With The Links Golf Outing, Swing into Spring dinner dance and other signature events sponsored by the chapter.