Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst founded an organization—a nationwide movement—in a time when social activism was scorned and women did not have the vote. They knew there is no stronger bond than that between mother and child. Therefore, they felt it was up to mothers of this country to eliminate the threats that endangered children. They called for action in 1897 and more than 2,000 people responded—many were mothers, but fathers, teachers, laborers, and legislators also responded—all with a commitment to children. From that first meeting in Washington DC, grew a groundswell of support. Problems were identified and strategies devised to resolve them.  Through consistent hard work, sometimes after years of perseverance, the dreams became reality: the creation of kindergarten classes, child labor laws, a public health service, hot lunch programs, a juvenile justice system, and mandatory immunization were accepted as national norms. Between 1897 and 1919, 37 state-level congresses were chartered to help carry out the work of the organization.

1897

First meeting of National Congress of Mothers held February 17–19, Washington DC...200 expected; 2,000 attended...Speakers: educational and philanthropic leaders of the day... Founders Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst elected president and first vice president respectively...Another vice president was Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson (wife of U.S. vice president)...Mrs. Grover Cleveland gave reception at White House...First state congress, New York, organized.

1898

Constitution and bylaws adopted...Papers read at convention advocated cooperation between mothers and teachers and sex education before puberty...Resolutions called for physical education in public schools and establishment of chairs of "paidology," or "science of the child," in universities and normal schools...President held a "Mothers' Congress" at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in Omaha.

1899

Object of convention "to arouse in the fathers the interest already aroused in the mother"...Plan adopted for organizing "parent-teacher associations as schools for parents"...Resolutions included petitioning Congress for a National Health Bureau (14 years before creation of U.S. Public Health Service)...Extension of juvenile court and probation system adopted as Congress work...National Congress distributed letter from Pennsylvania Congress president to school superintendents asking for parent-teacher conferences...First local association under National Congress founded in Kansas City...Loan papers on child nurture prepared for mothers' circles and parent-teacher clubs; also booklists for mothers and children.