Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D., national president of The Links, Incorporated and The Links Foundation as well as a member of the Arlington Links organization, on March 20 received the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Award.
The award is a testament to Dr. Jeffries Leonard’s lifelong commitment to impactful public service through community leadership and hands-on organizational participation.
“I am truly humbled and honored to receive this special award,” Dr. Jeffries Leonard said. “It is my hope that this incredible recognition from President Biden serves to encourage others to also serve their communities through volunteerism. The habit of helping others sharpens our sense of purpose, shares our expertise and widens our network of those working toward the same good end.”
Established in 2003, the award – issued by AmeriCorps in conjunction with the White House – is presented to individuals in recognition of their exemplary citizenship through service. Along with Dr. Jeffries Leonard, Brig. Gen. Terrence Adams, Dr. Prudence Pollard and Dr. Calvin Rock received the honor.
Dr. Jeffries Leonard’s volunteer service has transformed communities around the globe and empowered thousands of women and countless youth in the areas of health, economics, education and voting rights. As national president of The Links, Incorporated, a more-than-16,000-member volunteer-service organization, she sets the vision and example for the organization of civic-minded professional women who track over one million service hours annually.
Award nominations were submitted by Lowcountry Rice Culture Project (LRCP), a Charleston, S.C., non-profit founded by award-winning artist Jonathan Green. Dr. Kim Cliett Long, executive director of that organization, presented the awards to the four honorees.
“We were elated to facilitate Dr. Jeffries Leonard’s nomination for this award,” said Dr. Cliett Long. “Her lifelong commitment to service at the local, state, national and international levels embodies the spirit and intent of the award. Her leadership in service is influential and will demonstrate to many others the importance of service to our fellow citizens.”
For more information on The Links, Incorporated, visit www.linksinc.org.