GIVING BACK
Jane Phillips Society Sorority has Long Been Helping the Community by Lori Just The word “sorority” has been associated with Greek letters, campus activities, and initiations. Although the origin means sisterhood, it is seldom used in connection with anything else except women’s college organizations. Bartlesville, however, has sponsored a unique sorority connected not with a university, but with an industry; the Jane Phillips Sorority, now known as The Jane Phillips Society (JPS).
of the company's 66 trademark would represent six lights, for a total of 12 virtues to be pledged by new members upon their initiation in the presence of other members. Named the "Lights of the 66," this code of honor is still used in officer initiations. The 12 lights are: courage, fidelity, honesty, integrity, happiness, joy, purity, faith, hope, obedience, charity, truth, kindness, unselfishness, and friendliness.
It is said in the history of the society that in early 1937, when our country was slowly pulling itself out of its worst depression, most Americans were looking hopefully toward a bright future. In this national mood of social change, a small group of Bartlesville women began talking about the possibility of forming an organization for women working within the ranks of Phillips Petroleum Company in its Bartlesville headquarters.
National Conventions are held each year. At the first one, held in Kansas City, Missouri on March 4-5, 1939, national officers were elected and bylaws adopted. Aunt Jane attended several National Conventions, with her last one in attendance being in 1948, in Oklahoma City. With never-failing generosity, Aunt Jane often picked up the tab for various events and sent flowers to members in attendance. During National Conventions, she warmly received all comers to her hotel suite, and if ever she tired or longed for quiet at these times, no one suspected.
Only 20 years old at the time, Phillips was a small petroleum company. EmployJANE PHILLIPS ees worked in an atmosphere of belonging to one big family. Even the company chairJPS selected two songs. The first one, man and his wife were called "Uncle Frank" and "Aunt Jane." After the adopted in 1941, was written by the Des Moines, Iowa, chapter to the ladies of Phillips Petroleum had gained approval from company mantune of "Strawberry Blond," one of Aunt Jane's favorite melodies. A agement to form an organization, they decided to honor “Aunt Jane” second song was introduced at the Tulsa convention in 1955. Written Phillips by naming it after her. by Mildred Brittain, of Tulsa, to the tune of the "Whiffenpoof Song," it was officially adopted in 1957. "It is definitely acknowledged that a man to be a success must have as his helpmate a wife of great understanding, strong and lovJane Gibson Phillips passed away on August 1, 1948 of heart able character, high ideals, and capabilities in the execution of those complications at her home in Bartlesville. She became an honorary many duties which may fall to her lot. Jane Phillips has filled this role National President of JPS for life. to a very high degree. We love her. Tonight we extend our respects to JPS history shares: “Her graciousness and genuine hospitality her in proposing to name our organization the Jane Phillips Sorority." endeared Aunt Jane to all who knew her. Every girl who ever met this She lost little time in becoming personally involved in the club, lady went away feeling she was her own personal friend. The Osage calling the members “her girls.” On November 28, 1938, JPS was Indians possibly summed up Aunt Jane best when they gave her a granted incorporation by the State of Oklahoma, and two months name meaning ‘highly honored and generous lady.’” later the Articles of Incorporation were copyrighted and registered At the time of Aunt Jane's death, national president Lee Wandel in the U. S. Patent Office. A society pin, designed around the JPS iniwrote to all chapter presidents stating that Grand Council had met tials, and stationery were trademarked, making JPS a National with Aunt Jane earlier that year at the Oklahoma City convention. The Organization. meeting was called to set up a five-year contingency fund to be used for some charitable project in Aunt Jane's honor on her 75th birthday. With enthusiasm at a high, the committee worked nights and Since that first memorial, the Jane Phillips Society has given over weekends preparing preliminary plans and general regulations for $150,000 in Aunt Jane's honor. These contributions have helped alter membership approval. The intent of the new club's purpose soon shattered lives and create dreams for the once hopeless. Furthermore, became apparent when the committee asked members to forget perthe memorial represents only a fraction of the money raised by each sonalities and organize for the good of all under an umbrella of chapter to support local causes. JPS continues to pass the torch of cheerful companionship, social enjoyment, and high standards. Jane’s legacy of altruism by sharing the “Lights of 66” to future genDuring the initial days of JPS, the first planning committee preerations, fellowship with others, and investing in community. pared a 66 chart for initiation of new members and officers. Each "6" OCTOBER 2020 | bmonthly
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