Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 7-15-16 Online Edition

Local
2 Members Of The Tampa Chapter Of Links, Inc. Honored During National Assembly
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Two members of the Tampa Chap- ter of The Links, Incorporated were recognized recently when the Links held their national convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mrs. Gloria Adams Andrews and Mrs. Frances Carr Sykes were among the 50-year members who were singled out during the conven- tion on Friday, July 1st. Both ladies, who are Tampa natives, received two gold medals at the Platinum Awards Ceremony. They were joined by their daughters, who are also Links, other Links and family members for the cel- ebratory event.
The 40th National Assembly was held June 30th-July 2, 2016, with the theme being, “Inspire, Connect, En- gage.”
Joining Mrs. Andrews were: her daughters, Links Kay Andrews, President of The Tampa Chapter of the Links, Inc.; Dr. Susan An- drews, Sacramento Chapter and Dr. Nancy Andrews Collins, Little Rock, AK Chapter; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Andrews; granddaughter, Allison Clebert; and niece, Dr. Sharon Andrews (daughter of the late Nancy Andrews), all of the Tampa Chapter.
The Tampa Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, 50-year honorees, Frances C. Sykes and Gloria A. Andrews, center, are shown with Links Kay Andrews, left, Pres- ident of the Tampa Chapter, and Atty. Renee Lee, Vice President.
Johna Andrews and Mrs. Sykes joined her mother, Mrs. Irene C. Carr.
“My membership included 23 years with the St. Petersburg-Tampa Links (1966-1989) and 27 years with the Tampa Chapter (1989-2016),” Mrs. Gloria Andrews said.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to be a member of this presti- gious organization – The Links Incor- porated, locally and nationally,” she stated.
A graduate of the University of South Florida and a retired educator of the Hillsborough County School District, Mrs. Andrews is currently the Sentinel Administrator. She is an active member of Allen Temple A. M. E. Church.
Over the 50 years as members of the Links, both ladies have held sev- eral offices and served on many com- mittees.
Pleased about the recognition, Mrs. Sykes said, “The organization has grown tremendously over my membership, in size and scope.”
A retired Registered Pharmacist, Mrs. Sykes spent 35 “fulfilling years” as a hospital and managed care pharmacist. She is an active member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church; and she enjoys arts and crafts, sewing and word games.
Her husband is the late C. Blythe Andrews, Jr.
Mrs. Sykes daughters are: Link Carole Irene Sykes, Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Chapter; Heir-O-Link, Josette Rose Sykes, Orlando; and Link Stephanie Doreen Sykes, Tampa Chapter. Her sister, Link Gladys Carr Blalock, Wesley Chapel, is a member 0f the Tampa Chapter.
She is married to Joseph Sykes.
To qualify for this honor, a mem- ber reaches the Platinum Award sta-
tus in two ways: a Link has served for 30 years and reaches the age of 80 years; and a Link could serve for 50 consecutive years.
The late Link Nancy Butler An- drews of the Tampa Chapter had reached the 50-year status and the age of 80, when she died in January, 2016.
Mrs. Gloria Andrews and Mrs. Sykes were inducted into the St. Pe- tersburg-Tampa Chapter of the Links in December 1966. Mrs. Andrews joined her mother-in-law, Mrs.
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