By the spring of 1964 Atlanta's metropolitan population had soared past the one million mark. Tall buildings were rising at a rapid rate in the downtown section. A huge sports stadium was ready for construction, and negotiations were underway for bringing major league baseball and football to our city. Plans were also being made for a new civic center to replace the old outdated city auditorium, and a saddened community was raising funds to honor the 110 patrons of the arts from Atlanta who had died in the tragic Orly plane crash in Paris. These funds were for a new cultural complex in their memory.

With this bustling activity as a background, a group of prominent Atlanta Ladies, who now comprise the Phoenix Society's Honorary Advisory Board, gathered informally to discuss a pressing social need. Their unanimous conclusion was that Atlanta, as an emerging 'Big League' city, with an influx of noteworthy families from all over America should have a source for presenting its eligible young ladies to society. From this meeting, and others that included their husbands, grew the concept of a new social‑ civic group: The Phoenix Society. This quickly attracted many well‑known, outstanding families.

The name 'Phoenix' was selected because it captured the 'Spirit of Atlanta'. The Phoenix is a mythical bird of great beauty and longevity that consumed itself by fire only to rise again from its ashes in freshness of youth. This mythical Phoenix bird is emblazoned on the Great Seal of Atlanta. In addition, it is a paragon of peerless beauty which seemed quite appropriate for an organization introducing lovely, young ladies to society.

In organizing the Phoenix Society, its founders turned to the traditions of such men's organizations as the venerable St. Cecelia Society of Charleston, founded in 1762; the Baltimore Bachelor's Coalition, chartered in 1795; and the Veiled Prophet of St. Louis, dating back to 1878.

As written in its article of incorporation and bylaws in 1964, the Phoenix Society's aims are twofold: (1) to provide a means whereby selected gentlemen of exemplary character and background may with grace and dignity, formally introduce their daughters to society, and (2) to introduce the young ladies to their civic obligations and responsibilities to the community.

In its founding year the Society's Board of Trustees selected the Easter Seal Auxiliary
of the Atlanta Rehabilitation Center as its principle project. In 1980, a decision was made to volunteer the Society's time and money to the Shepherd Spinal Center. Phoenix debutantes now contribute many volunteer hours to the center each year and the society itself gives financial support.

The debut season officially begins with the June Supper Dance as a benefit for the Acquisition Fund of the High Museum of Art and the Society's social season highlight,
of course, is the traditional Phoenix Ball at which time members' daughters make their formal bow.