Award-winning ballerina Misty Copeland has been inducted as an honorary member of The Links, Incorporated and The Links Foundation, Incorporated. Copeland made history becoming a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, the first African American woman promoted to the position in the company's 75-year history. The New York Times best-selling author and philanthropist is among the most celebrated dancers and leading voices breaking barriers within the world of dance.

"Misty epitomizes what it means to be an honorary member of The Links, Incorporated," said Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D., national president of The Links, Incorporated and The Links Foundation, Incorporated, who presided over the ceremony held at the National Dance Institute in New York City on June 3. "We are delighted to welcome Misty into our chain of friendship. She is an accomplished and driven young woman who will use her talent to uplift and empower the next generation to fulfill their dreams. We look forward to collaborating with Misty. Her passion for mentoring young talent will help elevate our existing performing arts programming to the next level." 

At American Ballet Theatre, Copeland has performed some of the most iconic classical ballet roles, including "Odette/Odile" in Swan Lake; "Juliet" in Romeo & Juliet; Giselle; Manon; Coppelia; "Kitri" in Don Quixote; and Firebird, to name a few. Her awards and recognitions include the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts; National Youth of the Year Ambassador for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America; and the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

Copeland is an ambassador and alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club of America. She is also involved with MindLeaps, an arts education program based in Rwanda that helps young people get off the streets and into an academic setting to help enhance their lives.

"It's an unbelievable honor and privilege to be invited to become an honorary member of this important legacy of Black women, The Links," said Copeland. "… I follow in the footsteps of women who care for and nurture their communities in order to set up the youth for success. The values are the backbone of who The Links are and are so aligned with my own. To be only the 12th woman to receive this honor amongst such accomplished and esteemed women throughout your 75-year history is humbling, to say the least." 

Honorary membership within The Links is presented to women who are recognized nationally and internationally for their outstanding career achievement and exemplary community service. Copeland joins the esteemed company of: the late Etta Moten Barnett; the late Marian Anderson; the late Mattiwilda Dobbs; the late Honorable Patricia Roberts Harris; the late Honorable Constance Baker Motley; the late Elizabeth Koontz; Leontyne Price; the late Rosa Parks, the Honorable Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D.; and United States Vice President Kamala Harris.