Chapter History

The Greater Rappahannock Area Ladies League (GRALL) was formally established and organized in 1999 by Sandra Evans Holland King, who served as president of the interest group from 1999-2009. The goal was to serve the community in a tangible way by promoting philanthropic and charitable activities that had a profound impact on the residents of the Fredericksburg Region.

The initial organization had thirty-seven members, including the following current members: Sandra Evans Holland King, Penny Juggins Hairston, Mia Newell Valentine, Melany Pollock and Jacinta Topps, MD.

Early on, the leaders of the Greater Rappahannock Area Ladies League aligned their philanthropy with the mission of The Links, Incorporated. GRALL has supported, volunteered and raised funds for the Topsy Foundation of South Africa, Kids in Distressed Situations (KIDS) Charity where school supplies and hygiene products were donated to Haiti, the American Cancer Society~ Relay for Life, the American Heart Association~ Go Red For Women campaign, Disabled American Veterans and local charitable missions to include the bi-annual Harambee 360 Black Arts Festival, the annual Barbara Hicks Geslock Women’s Forum, children’s hospitals, senior citizen facilities and the Fredericksburg Hope House ~a transitional housing for homeless women and children and many other worthy causes. An annual tea at the Jefferson Hotel and at the Ritz Carlton was a signature social event as well as the annual Hope House Festival of Trees Silent Auction.

Throughout the years, GRALL has worked diligently to volunteer and promote literacy in elementary schools by donating an African-American themed book to each of the forty (40) area elementary school libraries. Members have volunteered by visiting and reading the donated books to the students. Some of the books have included Henry’s Freedom Box, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Barack Obama: Son of Promise Child of Hope and The Listeners.

Under the leadership of President Stephanie Drummond (2009-2012), the Greater Rappahannock Area Ladies League organized and planned our signature fundraiser the annual “Hit the Links” Charity Golf Tournament. It is the largest African American female sponsored tournament in our region. To date, five tournaments have taken place raising over $50,000 with annual scholarships given to area high school students.

In late 2012 under current President Beth Sinkler (2012-2014), the organization applied again to become an interest group of The Links, Incorporated. In February of 2013, the Greater Rappahannock Area Ladies League was notified that our application had been accepted and the ‘Journey to Linkdom’ began.

On February 14, 2013, the group received their official notification that they had become a formal Interest Group of The Links, Incorporated. Their First Meeting was held March 16, 2013 at The Hampton Inn & Suites, 4800 Market St., Fredericksburg, VA, and their First Links Orientation Workshop was held at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 1080 Hospitality Lane, Fredericksburg, VA, on April 14, 2013. Their hostess was Ms. Deborah Stephens, Social Chair.

The chartering date was set for March 22, 2014. The Chartering Organizer(s) were Mrs. Sandra Dorsey Malone and Jeannine Quick-Frasier. Ms. Dianne S. Hardison was the Chartering Area Director.

The elected officers installed for the group were:

Beth Sinkler - President

Kavatus Newell – Vice President

Tracey Watkins - Treasury

Giovonni Smith - Financial Secretary

Penny Hairston - Recording Secretary

The chartering events were held at:

Chartering Celebratory Reception, March 21, 2014, 6:30 PM, Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center (Terrace)
Chartering Ceremony, March 22, 2014, 9:00 AM, Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center (Hanover Room)
Chartering Celebratory Luncheon, March 22, 2014 12:00 PM, Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center (Henrico Ballroom)

Special Recognitions were received from:

Tim Kaine – U.S. Senator for Virginia
Mark Warner – U.S. Senator for Virginia
Terence R. McAuliffe – Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia ∙ Robert D. Orrock Sr. – Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates

The ladies of the Greater Rappahannock (VA) Chapter are friends who come from all walks of life and are united by an interest in youth and education, national and civic affairs, international perspectives and leadership development.

Our Chapter encompasses women from many professions, such as law, business, medicine, government, education and the arts; all with the inner need to make a difference. Despite our different occupations and talents, we are united in our unwavering belief that through many voices coming together as one, we can have a positive impact on our world.

Throughout the years, the Ladies of this Chapter have remained committed to giving back to the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and Caroline in a tangible transformational way.