National PTA History
Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst founded the organization when women did not have the right to vote and social activism was not popular. However, they believed mothers would support their mission to eliminate threats that endangered children, and in early 1897, they started a nationwide campaign.
On February 17, 1897, over 2,000 people, mostly mothers, but also fathers, teachers, laborers, and legislators- attended the first convovation of the the National Congress of Mothers in Washington, D.C. Twenty years later, 37 chartered state congresses existed.
In 1970, the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (National PTA) and the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT)- founded by Selena Sloan Butler in Atlanta, GA.- merged to serve all children.
As the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation, National PTA is the conscience of the country for children and youth issues. Through advocacy, as well as family and community engagement, National PTA has established programs and called for legislation that improves our children’s lives, such 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
Founders’ Day (Feb. 17) is when we celebrate the legacy and work of our founders—Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Selena Sloan Butler—to better the lives of every child in education, health and safety. It is a time to reflect and take pride in our achievements, and renew our commitment to be a:
- powerful voice for all children;
- relevant resource for parents; and
- strong advocate for public education.
Our founders represented women of imagination and courage. They had a simple idea—to improve the lives and future of all children. They understood the power of individual action, worked beyond the accepted barriers of their day, and took action to change the world for all children.
Colorado PTA History
Colorado PTA was founded in 1907 as the Colorado Congress of Mothers and incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) in 1915. Since its founding, Colorado PTA has served as a nonsectarian, nonpartisan advocate parents, educators, and community engagement to benefit children and public schools.
As the volunteer-run, state chapter of PTA, Colorado PTA is the link between National PTA and the local school community PTAs, known as Local Units, throughout the state of Colorado.
PTA is a chartered, membership-based organization. Each local unit maintains its own autonomy and benefits from state and national structures that provide valuable information, advocacy, support, and training. Local unit members automatically obtain membership in Colorado PTA and National PTA when they join their local PTA unit.
