National PTA President's Letter
January, 2003

Founders Day: Putting Children First Since 1897

Annually, members gather on February 17 to celebrate Founders Day. On that day we pay tribute to the three women - Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst, and Selena Sloan Butler - in our history who challenged the barriers society had erected that prevented children from becoming healthy, happy, and productive human beings.

These women and their successors worked hard to promote and advocate for a safer, healthier, and better world for children during a time when many ills needed to be corrected and protective measures needed to be put in place. The support of our founders and countless others helped lawmakers implement vital legislation for the nation’s children. Child labor laws, a public health service, hot lunch programs in schools, a juvenile justice system, mandatory childhood immunizations, and a federal law banning racially segregated schools eventually were accepted as national norms.

On Founders Day National PTA also pays tribute to you - the more than 6 million volunteers - who carry out our mission in schools and communities across the country. Whether advocating for more funds for public education, mobilizing communities to prevent youth violence, encouraging schools to promote tolerance, or helping families cope in times of national tragedy, PTA has taken a leadership role.

PTA is the parent voice urging everyone to act responsibly toward our country’s children. And we encourage each one of you to continue following our founders’ idea for a better world: If we can improve the lives of children, we can create a better future.

Shirley Igo
President, National PTA