PTA Founders' Day
History of PTA
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 Feb., 17, 1897, over 2,000 people—mostly mothers, but also fathers, teachers, laborers and legislators—attended the first convocation of 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 education, National PTA has established programs and called for legislation that improves our children’s lives, such as:
Founders’ Day
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:
Council Founder's Day Celebrations
Fort Wayne PTA Council Celebrates PTA by having an annual Founders' Day Dinner and Vendor Fair. This usually takes place in late February or early March. All units, Indiana PTA, FWCS Administration and School Board,as well as past council board members are invited to join in the festivities. The evening starts with an approximately an hour of area vendors set up in the hallways of the school for our guests to take in as much information as possible for partnerships they can make. Dinner follows and the host school gets a chance to showcase their programs and students. FWCS, Indiana PTA, and other will speak about PTA; reviewing the year and laying out goals for next. The evenings concludes with awards and thank yous.
As we take time to recognize the Founder's of PTA, it is also an opportunity for us to renew our commitment to the children of Indiana as we continue to advocate on their behalf. Thank you for joining us at the 2023 Founder's Day Dinner at South Side High School. It was a great evening full of fun, laughter, and friends.
2024 Founder's Day date and location TBD.
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 Feb., 17, 1897, over 2,000 people—mostly mothers, but also fathers, teachers, laborers and legislators—attended the first convocation of 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 education, 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
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.
Council Founder's Day Celebrations
Fort Wayne PTA Council Celebrates PTA by having an annual Founders' Day Dinner and Vendor Fair. This usually takes place in late February or early March. All units, Indiana PTA, FWCS Administration and School Board,as well as past council board members are invited to join in the festivities. The evening starts with an approximately an hour of area vendors set up in the hallways of the school for our guests to take in as much information as possible for partnerships they can make. Dinner follows and the host school gets a chance to showcase their programs and students. FWCS, Indiana PTA, and other will speak about PTA; reviewing the year and laying out goals for next. The evenings concludes with awards and thank yous.
As we take time to recognize the Founder's of PTA, it is also an opportunity for us to renew our commitment to the children of Indiana as we continue to advocate on their behalf. Thank you for joining us at the 2023 Founder's Day Dinner at South Side High School. It was a great evening full of fun, laughter, and friends.
2024 Founder's Day date and location TBD.
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Past Founders Day Dinners
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Past Vendor & Fundraising Fairs
The Fundraising Expo provides a great opportunity to get a head start on fall fundraising ideas from local restaurants and companies to book programs to special events.
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