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).

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.

Only 20 years old at the time, Phillips was a small petroleum company. Employees worked in an atmosphere of belonging to one big family. Even the company chairman and his wife were called "Uncle Frank" and "Aunt Jane." After the ladies of Phillips Petroleum had gained approval from company management to form an organization, they decided to honor “Aunt Jane” Phillips by naming it after her.

"It is definitely acknowledged that a man to be a success must have as his helpmate a wife of great understanding, strong and lovable character, high ideals, and capabilities in the execution of those many duties which may fall to her lot. Jane Phillips has filled this role to a very high degree. We love her. Tonight we extend our respects to her in proposing to name our organization the Jane Phillips Sorority."

She lost little time in becoming personally involved in the club, calling the members “her girls.” On November 28, 1938, JPS was granted incorporation by the State of Oklahoma, and two months later the Articles of Incorporation were copyrighted and registered in the U. S. Patent Office. A society pin, designed around the JPS initials, and stationery were trademarked, making JPS a National Organization.

With enthusiasm at a high, the committee worked nights and weekends preparing preliminary plans and general regulations for membership approval. The intent of the new club's purpose soon became apparent when the committee asked members to forget personalities and organize for the good of all under an umbrella of cheerful companionship, social enjoyment, and high standards.

During the initial days of JPS, the first planning committee prepared a 66 chart for initiation of new members and officers. Each "6" 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.

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.

JPS selected two songs. The first one, adopted in 1941, was written by the Des Moines, Iowa, chapter to the tune of "Strawberry Blond," one of Aunt Jane's favorite melodies. A second song was introduced at the Tulsa convention in 1955. Written by Mildred Brittain, of Tulsa, to the tune of the "Whiffenpoof Song," it was officially adopted in 1957.

Jane Gibson Phillips passed away on August 1, 1948 of heart complications at her home in Bartlesville. She became an honorary National President of JPS for life.

JPS history shares: “Her graciousness and genuine hospitality endeared Aunt Jane to all who knew her. Every girl who ever met this lady went away feeling she was her own personal friend. The Osage Indians possibly summed up Aunt Jane best when they gave her a name meaning ‘highly honored and generous lady.’”

At the time of Aunt Jane's death, national president Lee Wandel wrote to all chapter presidents stating that Grand Council had met with Aunt Jane earlier that year at the Oklahoma City convention. The 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. Since that first memorial, the Jane Phillips Society has given over $150,000 in Aunt Jane's honor. These contributions have helped alter shattered lives and create dreams for the once hopeless. Furthermore, the memorial represents only a fraction of the money raised by each chapter to support local causes. JPS continues to pass the torch of Jane’s legacy of altruism by sharing the “Lights of 66” to future generations, fellowship with others, and investing in community.