The document summarizes the history of the PTA from its founding in 1897 to the present day. It details how Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Hearst founded the National Congress of Mothers in 1897 to advocate for children and families. Over time, the organization merged with other groups and changed its name to the National PTA. It celebrates Founders Day each year on February 17th and discusses the PTA's role in supporting war efforts and addressing issues like polio and school desegregation. The summary concludes by noting the PTA continues working today through state and local units to support children and families.

1. FOUNDERS DAY
A brief History of the PTA
Todd Curtis
Legislation Chairman Ventura PTA Council

2. National PTA Historical Timeline
• 1897: Alice McLellan and Phoebe Hearst founded The National
Congress of Mothers
• 1910: Founders day observed on February 17
• 1926: NCCPT Founded by Selena Butler
• 1930: The Great Depression
• 1941: PTA supports war efforts
• 1952: Polio cases reach 57,628
• 1970: NCCPT Merges with the National PTA
• 1982: President Reagan proclaims October as National PTA
membership month
• 1992: Parent involvement becomes a national goal
• 1997: 100 years later
• Present day: National PTA continues to support State and Local Units

3. The Founders:
• Alice McLellan Birney
• Advertising career
• Three Children
• Her third child Lilly inspired her to help all children
• Phoebe Hearst
• School teacher
• George Hearst
• Mother of William Randolph Hearst

4. The National Congress of Mothers
• Washington D.C. 1895…..
• Birney has a vision to hold a congress of mothers similar
to other conventions held in D.C.
• February 17, 1897:
• First meeting called
• Washington D. C.
• Arlington Hotel
• Expected attendance: 50
• Actual attendance: > 2,000

5. Founders Day
• 1908, delegates voted to change the name of the
organization to the National Congress of Mothers and
Parent-Teacher Associations
• 1910, Denver Colorado. Mary Mears motions to celebrate
Founders Day
• The motion passed and took two years for conformation
• The first celebration took place in 1913
• This tradition continues today……

6. National Congress of Colored Parent-Teachers
• Founded on May 7, 1926 by Selena Sloan Butler
• Inspired by Alice Birney and Phoebe Hearst
• Supported by the National PTA
• Goal: Unite African American mothers

7. The Great Depression
• 1,300 banks failed
• Many children were forced to quit school to support their
families.
• 1930: President and First Lady Hoover hosted a National
Conference on “Child Health and Protection”
• Selena Sloan Butler chaired the committee “The Infant
and the Pre-School Child.
• “Children’s Charter”
• Specialized care for kids with disabilities
• Sufficient / safe facilities
• Parental training
State and Local PTA Units spend the next two years implementing
programs based on the “Children’s Charter”

8. The National PTA supports WWII
• PTA Units organized “safe houses” for coastal cities
• War bond drives
• Scrap metal drives
• Recycling programs
• The National PTA publication;
• War Handbook
• Fathers, brothers, husbands, nurses, doctors departed to
support the war
• National, State and local units provided:
• Day care
• First aid training
• Community support

9. The National PTA supports post war
challenges!
• 1951, Oliver Brown’s daughter denied to attend an all
white school
• 1954 Segregation ruled unconstitutional Brown vs. Board
of Education
• Polio cases reach 57,628
• 1954, vaccine was discovered
• National PTA helped with the vaccination campaign

10. Time for a Merger
• June 22, 1970
• The National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers declares
that its mission has been accomplished!
• National PTA president Pearl Price and NCCPT president
Clara Gray formally unite both organizations!
“Our Challenge now is to move above and beyond our
separate, divisive, experiences and build a shared
experience!”- Perl Price

11. 1982: President Reagan proclaims October as National PTA President
membership month

12. 1997, 100 years later
• National PTA celebrates 100th anniversary with Washington D.C. gala
• Lois Jean White is inaugurated as the first African-American president
of National PTA
• 32 cent PTA postage stamp revealed

13. 2000 and beyond……
• National PTA encouraged anti-bullying discussions in
communities with its Connect for Respect initiative
• PTA becomes proud co-sponsor of Fatherhood Initiative’s
National Summit on Fatherhood National
• PTA entered the world of social media with the launch of
its Facebook page.
• Launches nationwide video game ratings education
campaign with the Entertainment Software Rating Board

14. Other PTA accomplishments
• 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
Thank You!
Your being here today shows your continued support for
your Unit, Council, District, State and National PTA!

15. Citation Page
• National PTA: The PTA Story A Century of Commitment to
Children 1997
• National PTA:
http://www.pta.org/about/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3463
Retrieved from the world wide web February, 2013

16. Resources
• Nation PTA website: www.pta.org
• California State PTA website: www.capta.org
• 12th District PTA website: www.12thdistrictpta.org
• Sunset School PTA website: www.sunsetpta.info