PTA Founders

The National Congress of Mothers, now the National PTA, was founded in 1897 in Washington D.C., by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. They called for action and 2000 people responded. Today, the National PTA has almost 5.5 million members in 54 Congresses.

In 1926, Mrs. Selena Sloan Butler of Georgia, founded the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers to address the special needs of student’s in the states where segregation was legally sanctioned. In 1970, the two PTAs formally merged. Mrs. Butler is recognized as a co-founder of the National PTA.

Celebrate Founder's Day

1. Display pictures and memorabilia describing PTA’s more than 100-year history
2. Research and draw up your PTA’s historic milestones
3. Observe the inclusiveness of PTA’s founding by organizing a culture festival celebrating your community’s various ethnic and cultural groups.
4. Present Honorary Life Memberships to past PTA presidents and other volunteers who have made a tremendous impact in their communities.
5. Invite all past living PTA presidents to attend a special meeting.
6. Recite the mission of the National PTA at a special meeting.
7. Put on a musical revue, play, or pageant.
8. Send a Founders Day gift to National PTA, such as $1 for each year of membership or $1 for every unit chartered.
9. Locate and highlight any resolutions that your PTA sent forward to the state or National PTA.
10. Share information from the National PTA through mailings to members.
11. Celebrate each year of National PTA with a scoop of ice cream ot be shared with students at a special party.
12. Challenge students to research PTA and create a school display or mural.
13. Ask local grocers and vendors to print PTA anniversary messages on their bags.

Visit the National PTA website for more information.Annual Guide for PTAs, Programs Section, Founders Day at