Jane Ross
Encyclopedia
Jane Ross was a prominent American businesswoman and philanthropist
from Clark County, Arkansas
.
, the daughter of Hugh Thomas Ross and Esther Clark Ross. She graduated from Henderson State University
in 1942. She served as a US Navy photographer for a time in 1943, stationed in Washington DC, and then joined the Women's Army Corps
, in which she would serve for the remainder of World War II
. For her service during the war, she would receive the Good Conduct Medal
, American Theater Medal, and the Victory Medal. Following the war, she would study photography at Rochester Institute of Technology
.
Ross returned to Arkadelphia, and opened a photography studio, "Photos by Ross". She owned and operated this studio from 1948 through 1955, but was forced to close the studio to concentrate on the family business following the death of her father, who had previously managed the family business. Her grandfather, J. G. Clark, had amassed a fortune in the timber business in South Arkansas
, beginning in the late 1880s. After the death of her father in 1955, Ross became chairwoman of her family's timber industry business, and was heiress to that fortune.
", which is still in operation today.
She allowed family member Ross Whipple to have some control in the operations of the "Ross Foundation" starting in 1979, but she retained control. The foundation created by Jane Ross primarily concentrated on financial assistance in educational programs, mostly confining that assistance to Clark County, and to date continues to assist both Henderson State University as well as Ouachita Baptist University
in special projects and scholarship
programs. At last tally, the foundation had contributed in excess of $10,000,000 to Clark County based projects. The foundation opened much of its land holdings to the public, managing a wildlife preserve in Clark County for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker
s, and maintaining hiking trails in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. In addition to these, the foundation has helped fund numerous projects for the Arkansas Children's Hospital
in Little Rock, Arkansas
. "Group Living", an organization based in Arkadelphia for the betterment of mentally impaired persons, has also been assisted in several projects over the course of many years.
During her lifetime she served in many local public positions, to include the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce
and on the local Girl Scouts of America council. She received numerous awards for her charitable contributions made over the years, to include being name the "Honorary Paul Harris Fellow" by the Arkadelphia Rotary Club in 1995, and that same year being inducted into the "Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame". Also in 1995, she was named "Philanthropist of the Year". Ross was awarded the "Purple and Gold Award" by Ouachita Baptist University in 1983, and in 1984 was named as "Distinguished Alumni" by Henderson State University. Ross never married, devoting her life to the foundation of her creation, and to other projects in both her hometown community and her home state. She died on July 9, 1999, and was buried in "Rosehill Cemetery", in Arkadelphia.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
from Clark County, Arkansas
Clark County, Arkansas
Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 22,995. The county seat is Arkadelphia.The Arkadelphia Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Clark County.-Geography:...
.
Early life, World War II service
Ross was born in Arkadelphia, ArkansasArkadelphia, Arkansas
Arkadelphia is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,548. The city is the county seat of Clark County. The city is situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Two universities, Henderson State...
, the daughter of Hugh Thomas Ross and Esther Clark Ross. She graduated from Henderson State University
Henderson State University
Henderson State University, founded in 1890 as Arkadelphia Methodist College, is a four-year public liberal arts university located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, United States. It is Arkansas's only member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges...
in 1942. She served as a US Navy photographer for a time in 1943, stationed in Washington DC, and then joined the Women's Army Corps
Women's Army Corps
The Women's Army Corps was the women's branch of the US Army. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps on 15 May 1942 by Public Law 554, and converted to full status as the WAC in 1943...
, in which she would serve for the remainder of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. For her service during the war, she would receive the Good Conduct Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...
, American Theater Medal, and the Victory Medal. Following the war, she would study photography at Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology
The Rochester Institute of Technology is a private university, located within the town of Henrietta in metropolitan Rochester, New York, United States...
.
Ross returned to Arkadelphia, and opened a photography studio, "Photos by Ross". She owned and operated this studio from 1948 through 1955, but was forced to close the studio to concentrate on the family business following the death of her father, who had previously managed the family business. Her grandfather, J. G. Clark, had amassed a fortune in the timber business in South Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, beginning in the late 1880s. After the death of her father in 1955, Ross became chairwoman of her family's timber industry business, and was heiress to that fortune.
Founding of the "Ross Foundation"
In 1966, Ross and her mother established the "Ross Foundation", a philanthropic organization. Following her mother's death the following year, Jane Ross became the chairwoman of the "Ross Foundation", while also remaining chairwoman of the timber business. In 1972 she helped found the "Clark County Historical AssociationHistorical Association
The Historical Association is an organisation founded in 1906 and based in London, England. The goals of the Historical Association are to support "the study and enjoyment of history at all levels by creating an environment that promotes lifelong learning and provides for the evolving needs of...
", which is still in operation today.
She allowed family member Ross Whipple to have some control in the operations of the "Ross Foundation" starting in 1979, but she retained control. The foundation created by Jane Ross primarily concentrated on financial assistance in educational programs, mostly confining that assistance to Clark County, and to date continues to assist both Henderson State University as well as Ouachita Baptist University
Ouachita Baptist University
Ouachita Baptist University is a private, liberal arts, undergraduate institution located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, which is about 65 miles southwest of Little Rock. The university's name is taken from the Ouachita River, which forms the eastern campus boundary. It is affiliated with the Arkansas...
in special projects and scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
programs. At last tally, the foundation had contributed in excess of $10,000,000 to Clark County based projects. The foundation opened much of its land holdings to the public, managing a wildlife preserve in Clark County for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a woodpecker found in southeastern North America.- Description :About the size of the Northern Cardinal, it is approximately 8.5 in. long, with a wingspan of about 14 in. and a weight of about 1.5 ounces...
s, and maintaining hiking trails in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. In addition to these, the foundation has helped fund numerous projects for the Arkansas Children's Hospital
Arkansas Children's Hospital
The Arkansas Children's Hospital is a pediatric hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is the only pediatric Level I trauma center in Arkansas and the sixth largest in the United States, serving children from birth to age twenty-one...
in Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
. "Group Living", an organization based in Arkadelphia for the betterment of mentally impaired persons, has also been assisted in several projects over the course of many years.
During her lifetime she served in many local public positions, to include the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
and on the local Girl Scouts of America council. She received numerous awards for her charitable contributions made over the years, to include being name the "Honorary Paul Harris Fellow" by the Arkadelphia Rotary Club in 1995, and that same year being inducted into the "Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame". Also in 1995, she was named "Philanthropist of the Year". Ross was awarded the "Purple and Gold Award" by Ouachita Baptist University in 1983, and in 1984 was named as "Distinguished Alumni" by Henderson State University. Ross never married, devoting her life to the foundation of her creation, and to other projects in both her hometown community and her home state. She died on July 9, 1999, and was buried in "Rosehill Cemetery", in Arkadelphia.