Looking Back and Playing Forward

The PTA was founded in 1897 in Washington, DC, as the National Congress of Mothers by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst, mother of publisher William Randolph Hearst. Founder Birney appealed "to all mankind and to all womankind, regardless of race, color, or condition, to recognize that the republic's greatest work is to save the children." She wanted to underscore the importance of children, and particularly child-rearing and the influence of mothers. Consequently, she stressed the importance of educating mothers and envisioned dispersing the most advanced knowledge about raising and protecting children.

Three generations later, Birney's great-great niece has continued PTA's work at the state and local levels. Jodie Clements has served on PTA boards in Illinois and Florida, and is currently president of the PTA board at Seminole Middle School in Seminole, Florida.

Clements first discovered her family connection with Birney when she read a 100th-year anniversary brochure handed out to PTA members in 1997. "I've grown up around Birney relatives all my life," says Clements, "but no one really knew about Alice and her accomplishments before that because no one in my family had immersed themselves in the PTA. Only as I became involved in PTA did I realize the significance of what these women did. From their ideas have grown this national organization that is dedicated to advocating for the rights of children."

As societal conditions have changed over the years, so have PTA's programs. But the group remains committed to pushing for systemic, long-term improvement in public education. While many parents may have less time now than in the past to volunteer, Hodge urges them to stay involved in the education of their children. She suggests that local PTA units can help parents discover ways of staying active in schools.

"Working together, we are making it easier for busy parents to be involved with PTA," says Hodge. "We are reaching out to diverse communities in ways that are meaningful and relevant to today's families, and we are providing training and resources to strengthen members' leadership and advocacy skills. Find your niche, whether it's working in the classroom one hour a week or doing something at home or whatever. Get involved in some way, share in some form in the education of your kids."