Membership

Founders Day

History of Founders Day

On February 17, 1897, the two founders, Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst, looked out at the 2,000 people from across the country who gathered for the Mothers Congress' first meeting in Washington, DC, and saw the beginning of the largest (and now oldest) volunteer organization that works exclusively on behalf of children and youth.

In 1926, Selena Sloan Butler formed the Mothers Congress' counterpart. She was the founder and first president of the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT). After working 50 years apart, NCCPT and the National Congress of Parents and Teachers united in 1970 to expand their outreach. All three women-
Selena Sloan Butler, Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst- believed in making everyone aware of children's needs and possibilities. February 17 became known as Founders Day since it celebrated the founding of PTA.

Celebrate Founders Day

 Display pictures and memorabilia describing PTA's more than 100-year history.
 Observe the inclusiveness of PTA's founding by organizing a culture festival celebrating your community's various ethnic and cultural groups.
 Present Honorary Life Memberships to past PTA presidents and other volunteers who have made a tremendous impact in their communities.
 Invite all past living PTA presidents to attend a special meeting.
 Recite the Mission of the State PTA at a special meeting.
 Put on a musical revue, play, or pageant.
 Send a Founders Day gift to State PTA, such as $1 for each year of membership.
 Locate and highlight any resolutions that your PTA sent forward to the State and National PTA.
 Share information from State and National PTA through mailings to members.
 Celebrate each anniversary of State and National PTA with an ice-cream party for students.
 Challenge students to research PTA and create a school display or mural.
 Ask local grocers and vendors to print PTA anniversary messages on their bags.

Founders Day Award

The "Founders Day" certificate is awarded to units that sold and made a membership payment of at least 15 members during the month of February. Payment must be submitted using the membership dues payment form. Only payments received on or before March 1st will qualify for this award.

If you are holding on to any membership payments, submit them now to earn your unit recognition for a Founders Day Award!

Click here for Founders Day Brochure