PTA Founders Day

National PTA Founders Day is celebrated on February 17th of every year. National Parent Teacher Association has been in existence for over 100 years. The National Congress of Mothers was the original founding name and the first founders of the organization was Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. The group gives a voice to all school children, families, communities and public education. Today the PTA networks millions o families, students, teachers, administrators, business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. 

The founders of the PTA were not allowed to vote but the ladies still started a strong organization as they believed that mothers would support their mission to eliminate threats and endangered children. In 1897 the union of the PTA began a nationwide campaign. Mainly mothers but also fathers were interested in the organization. 

In 1970 the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (PTA) and the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers merged to serve all children. Now the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation. The association fights for good education for all children as well as

• Creation of Kindergarten classes
• Child labor laws
• Public health service
• Hot and healthy lunch programs
• Juvenile justice system
• Mandatory immunization
• Arts in Education
• School Safety

February 17th the PTA celebrates founders day and their ambitious motion to better the lives off every child in education, health and safety. The commitment to be a:

• powerful voice for all children;
• relevant resource for parents; and
• strong advocate for public education.

The simple idea to improve the lives and future of all children was created by women who were full of imagination and courage. They worked beyond the accepted barriers of their day and took action to change the world of all children.