About Us
Chapter History
The ladies of The Greater Rappahannock Area Ladies League (GRALL) were
friends who came from all walks of life and were united by an interest in
youth and education, national and civic affairs, international perspectives
and leadership development. 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 to include the City of
Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and
Caroline.
GRALL encompassed women from many professions, such as law, business,
medicine, education and the arts; all with the inner need to make a
difference. Despite our different occupations and talents, we remain united
in our unwavering belief that through many voices coming together as one, we
can have a positive impact on our world.
Initially, GRALL 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 GRALL aligned their philanthropy with the mission
of The Links, Incorporated. GRALL 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 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
volunteered by visiting and reading the donated books to the students. Some
of the books 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,
seven 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 our official notification that we
had become a formal Interest Group of The Links, Incorporated. Our first
meeting was held March 16, 2013 at The Hampton Inn & Suites, 4800 Market
St., Fredericksburg, VA and our first Links Orientation Workshop was held at
the Hampton Inn & Suites, 1080 Hospitality Lane, Fredericksburg, VA on April
14, 2013. Our hostess was Ms. Deborah Stephens, Social Chair. Our Chartering
Date was 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.
Our elected officers were:
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
Special Recognitions were received from the following:
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 chartering events were held at the following location:
Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center (Henrico
Ballroom)