Martha's Task
Our History
The Story That Stitched Us Together
Martha’s Task was born in 2000 out of a heartfelt desire to uplift women facing financial hardship. What began as a small outreach effort in the basement of St. James Catholic Church — guided by the caring leadership of founder Susan Murphy — quickly grew into something more. On June 12, 2000, Martha’s Task became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, rooted in the belief that every woman holds creative potential, dignity, and the right to economic opportunity.
Our mission is simple but powerful: to walk alongside women as they build paths to independence and self-sufficiency. Through our supportive programs, we offer free sewing instruction, craft-based training, contract work opportunities, and advocacy that helps each woman move forward with confidence.
Thanks to the generous outpouring of fabric, notions, and supplies from our friends in Bartlesville and beyond, we are able to provide these services at no cost. Every stitch sewn, every item made, and every life empowered is a reflection of a community that believes in the strength and value of women.
Susan Murphy - Founder
Susan Murphy will be the first to admit she doesn’t have the patience for sewing — but that never stopped her from stitching together a powerful vision to uplift women in need. As the founder of Martha’s Task, Susan has devoted her life to helping disadvantaged women find hope, purpose, and economic independence.
A former elementary school teacher at Jane Phillips Elementary in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Susan’s journey began with a deep concern for the struggles she witnessed in her community. “That has been my journey since 1981,” she says, “to somehow lift up those who don’t have as much as I do.”
In the late 1990s, when the parish council at St. James Catholic Church sought an economic development project to support Bartlesville’s underserved population, Susan stepped forward with passion and purpose. With generous donations from John and Lois Morgan, Susan helped launch a humble outreach effort in the church basement. Women began learning to sew, creating draperies and basic items that eventually grew into a full line of handmade merchandise.
By June 12, 2000, the growing effort officially became an independent nonprofit, and Martha’s Task opened its doors at 718 S. Johnstone Avenue. With just $1,000 in seed money, Susan and a small team transformed a simple idea into a thriving social enterprise.
Though she modestly shrugs off recognition for her behind-the-scenes work, those who know her describe Susan as a deeply selfless and compassionate leader. She continues to be a guiding presence at Martha’s Task, witnessing countless success stories of women overcoming adversity through the power of creativity, skill-building, and self-worth.
Driven by her motto of “conquering economic disparity” and inspired by the legacy of Saint Martha, Susan Murphy’s dedication remains stitched into the very fabric of Martha’s Task.
Lois Morgan - Founding Instructor
Lois Morgan brought both heart and hands to Martha’s Task as the organization’s first sewing instructor. A talented seamstress and founding volunteer, Lois began teaching seamstress skills to women in need in 2000 and continued for many years, helping build the foundation for what Martha’s Task would become.
Born near Okeene, Oklahoma, Lois had a lifelong passion for sewing and crafting. She channeled her creativity into a 25-year career in interior decorating, where her skill and attention to detail were widely admired. Her artistry was also a gift to her faith community — she lovingly designed and crafted clergy robes and sanctuary banners for the First Presbyterian Church, where her work became a meaningful symbol of devotion and service.
When the idea for Martha’s Task first took root in the basement of St. James Catholic Church, Lois and her husband John Morgan played a crucial role in its launch, generously donating sewing machines, tables, and supplies. Under the leadership of founder Susan Murphy and with Lois’s instruction, women began learning to sew by making draperies — an effort that would grow into a vibrant nonprofit program offering a full line of handmade merchandise.
Even in later years, Lois’s dedication never waned. Her final sewing project — a set of handmade masks sent to family during the COVID-19 pandemic — was a reflection of her enduring care and generosity.
Lois Morgan’s legacy lives on in every stitch made by the women of Martha’s Task. Her commitment to uplifting others through skill, compassion, and creativity continues to inspire all who walk through the doors of this meaningful outreach.
The Fabric of Our Journey
