Donate
Give Monthly
Give Today
Join
Sign In
Run Your PTA
Lead a PTA Virtually
State Resource Bank
Local Leader Kit
PTSA Resources
Membership Campaign
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Leadership Tips and Tools
Supporting Multicultural Membership Growth
LGBTQ Community Inclusivity in PTA
eLearning
Spanish Resources
Recursos en Español
National Standards for Family-School Partnerships
Award & Grant Opportunities
How We PTA
Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award
COVID-19 Relief
Marketplace
Member Offers
Fundraisers
Supporting Students
Authors and Speakers
Resources for Families
One Voice Blog
Subscribe to eNewsletters
PTA Branding and Web Guidelines
Advocacy
Take Action
Write Your Officials
Find Officials
Sign Up for Alerts
Register to Vote
Federal Legislation
Federal Public Policy Agenda
Key Legislation
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Letters to Policymakers
Policy Coalitions
PTA's Positions
Position Statements
Resolutions
Private School Vouchers and School Choice
Standards and Assessments
Legislative Conference
Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Training
Election Guides
PTA's CCR Initiative
Advocacy Toolkit
Resolutions Toolkit
Government Affairs Staff
Family Resources
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) PTA Resources
Notes from the Backpack Podcast
Our Children Magazine
Center for Family Engagement
Parents' Guide to Student Success
Family Guides
College and Career Readiness
Components of CCR
College Readiness Resources
Career Readiness Resources
Assessments and Standards
Academic Standards
State Assessment Guides
Common Core State Standards
State Assessment Resources
Health
Flu Prevention
Hunger
Safe Drinking Water
Obesity Prevention
Chronic Conditions
Substance Misuse
Emotional Health
Safety
Digital Safety
Injury Prevention and Sports Safety
School Safety
Teen Driver Safety
Family Riding Safety
Special Education Toolkit
Getting Started
From Pre-K to Graduation and Beyond
Summer Learning
Events
Event Calendar
Convention Dates
Learning Labs
Legislative Conference
Register Now
Schedule
Advocacy Awards
Resources
Safer Internet Day
Take Your Family to School Week
Teacher Appreciation Week
Back to School with PTA
Back to School for PTA Leaders
Back to School for Parents
Back to School for Students
Back to School for Teachers
Every Child in Focus
Calendar
Leadership Series
Programs
School of Excellence
State Excellence Library
Reflections
Start Your Program
ArtsEd Resources
Timeline
Awards
Family Reading Experience
STEM + Families
About
STEM at Home Activities
Math Nights
Science Festivals
Propelling Our World
STEM Resources
PTA Connected
Be Internet Awesome
Digital Families
Smart Talk
Access
Social Video & Teens
Healthy Lifestyles
Healthy Hydration
Family Tasting Night
Healthy School Meals
School Wellness Policies
Physical Activity & Phys Ed
Connect for Respect
Mental Health
About PTA
Why Join PTA?
Join
Join National PTA
Join Your Local PTA
Start a PTA
Presence of PTA
Mission Statement
History
PTA vs. Unaffiliated Parent Groups
Award & Grant Opportunities
Member Benefits
Member Offers
Why Parents Need PTA
Why Schools Need PTA
Why Teachers Need PTA
Donate
PTA Newsroom
Press Releases
Governance
Bylaws
Standards of Affiliation
Strategic Plan
Reports & Financials
Honor Roll of Donors
Leadership
Board of Directors
Committees
Staff
Past National PTA Presidents
State Offices & Presidents
Become a National PTA Leader
Careers at National PTA
Sponsors & Partners
Advertise with National PTA
PTA History: 1910-1919
In This Section
Run Your PTA
Lead a PTA Virtually
State Resource Bank
Local Leader Kit
PTSA Resources
Membership Campaign
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Leadership Tips and Tools
Quick Tips: Getting Started
National PTA Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Frequently Asked Questions
Emerging Minority Leader Conferences
Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Supporting Multicultural Membership Growth
Overview: How to Engage Underrepresented Groups
Key Strategies for Specific Groups
African American Children and Families
Hispanic Children and Families
American Indian/Alaska Native Children and Families
Asian American Children and Families
Pacific Islander American Children and Families
Male Engagement
Children in Military Families
Organizational Resources for Military Families
Children in Foster Care and their Families
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Children and Families
Children With Special Needs
Location Matters: Urban, Suburban, and Rural Children and Families
LGBTQ Community Inclusivity in PTA
eLearning
Spanish Resources
Recursos en Español
National Standards for Family-School Partnerships
Award & Grant Opportunities
How We PTA
Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award
COVID-19 Relief
Marketplace
Member Offers
Fundraisers
Supporting Students
Authors and Speakers
Resources for Families
One Voice Blog
Subscribe to eNewsletters
PTA Branding and Web Guidelines
Advocacy
Take Action
Write Your Officials
Find Officials
Sign Up for Alerts
Register to Vote
Federal Legislation
Federal Public Policy Agenda
Family Engagement in Education
Federal Investments in Education
Public Money for Public Schools
Safe and Supportive Schools
Gun Safety and Violence Prevention
Special Education
Data Reporting, Privacy & Technology
Child Nutrition
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Early Learning and Childhood Education
Key Legislation
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
State and Local Plans
Education Data
Family Engagement
Letters to Policymakers on ESEA/ESSA
Press Releases and Articles on ESEA/ESSA
Additional Resources on ESEA/ESSA
Letters to Policymakers
2019 Letters to Policymakers
2018 Letters to Policymakers
2017 Letters to Policymakers
2016 Letters to Policymakers
2015 Letters to Policymakers
2014 Letters to Policymakers
2013 Letters to Policymakers
Policy Coalitions
PTA's Positions
Position Statements
Resolutions
Approved Convention Resolutions
2019 Approved Resolutions
2018 Approved Resolutions
2017 Approved Resolutions
2016 Approved Resolutions
2015 Approved Resolutions
2014 Approved Resolutions
2013 Approved Resolutions
2012 Approved Resolutions
2011 Approved Resolutions
2010 Approved Resolutions
2009 Approved Resolutions
2008 Approved Resolutions
Private School Vouchers and School Choice
Standards and Assessments
Legislative Conference
Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Training
Election Guides
PTA's CCR Initiative
CCRI Partners
CCR Member Education Event Toolkit
Parent Assessment Event Toolkit
Advocacy Toolkit
How a Bill Becomes a Law
The Federal Appropriations and Budget Process
Corresponding with Members of Congress
Hosting a Site Visit for a Decisionmaker
Conducting Meetings with a Decisionmaker
Where Social Media and PTA Advocacy Collide
Working with the Media
Preparing Testimony
Advocacy Training - Full Training Manual
Building and Joining Coalitions
Resolutions Toolkit
Background on Resolution Criteria
Government Affairs Staff
Family Resources
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) PTA Resources
Notes from the Backpack Podcast
Our Children Magazine
Center for Family Engagement
Parents' Guide to Student Success
Family Guides
College and Career Readiness
Components of CCR
College Readiness Resources
Career Readiness Resources
Assessments and Standards
Academic Standards
State Assessment Guides
Common Core State Standards
State Assessment Resources
Health
Flu Prevention
Hunger
Safe Drinking Water
Obesity Prevention
Promote Healthy Eating
Encourage Physical Activity
Chronic Conditions
Substance Misuse
Emotional Health
Safety
Digital Safety
The Smart Talk Satellite Site Toolkit
Injury Prevention and Sports Safety
School Safety
Checklist to Help Prevent Violence in Schools
Teen Driver Safety
Family Riding Safety
Special Education Toolkit
Getting Started
From Pre-K to Graduation and Beyond
Summer Learning
Events
Event Calendar
Convention Dates
Learning Labs
Legislative Conference
Register Now
Schedule
Advocacy Awards
Resources
Safer Internet Day
Take Your Family to School Week
Teacher Appreciation Week
Back to School with PTA
Back to School for PTA Leaders
Back to School for Parents
Back to School for Students
Back to School for Teachers
Every Child in Focus
Calendar
African American History Month
The State of the African-American Child
Month of the Military Child
Every Child in Focus - Military Appreciation Month
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
National Foster Care Month
Foster Care Video Series
National Hispanic Heritage Month
LGBTQ Month
Native American Heritage Month
National Special Education Day
Ideas to Support Children with Special Needs
American Child
Urban Child
Suburban Child
Ideas to Support the Suburban Child
Rural Child
Leadership Series
Every Child in Focus Leadership Series: Hispanic Students
Every Child in Focus Leadership Series: LGBTQ
Programs
School of Excellence
State Excellence Library
Reflections
Start Your Program
ArtsEd Resources
Timeline
Awards
Family Reading Experience
STEM + Families
About
STEM at Home Activities
Math Nights
Math Grants Toolkit
Science Festivals
Propelling Our World
STEM Resources
PTA Connected
Be Internet Awesome
Digital Families
Smart Talk
Access
Social Video & Teens
Healthy Lifestyles
Healthy Hydration
Family Tasting Night
Healthy School Meals
Advocate for the Food Service Team
School Wellness Policies
Physical Activity & Phys Ed
Connect for Respect
Mental Health
About PTA
Why Join PTA?
Join
Join National PTA
Join Your Local PTA
Start a PTA
Presence of PTA
Mission Statement
History
PTA History: 2000-2009
PTA History: 1990-1999
PTA History: 1980-1989
PTA History: 1970-1979
PTA History: 1960-1969
PTA History: 1950-1959
PTA History: 1940-1949
PTA History: 1930-1939
PTA History: 1920-1929
PTA History: 1910-1919
PTA History: 1900-1909
PTA vs. Unaffiliated Parent Groups
Award & Grant Opportunities
Member Benefits
Member Offers
Why Parents Need PTA
Why Schools Need PTA
Why Teachers Need PTA
Donate
PTA Newsroom
Press Releases
Governance
Bylaws
Standards of Affiliation
Strategic Plan
Reports & Financials
Honor Roll of Donors
Leadership
Board of Directors
Leslie Boggs
Anna King
Donald Dunn
Yvonne Johnson
Darlene Sanchez-Harris
Nathan R. Monell, CAE
Amy Arness
Rose Acerra
Stacy Bateman
Candy Jo Bracken
Jude Bruno
Erik Champy
Jeffery Corbett
Frances Frost
Heather Gillette
Madison Laster
Lisa Mack
Dr. Traci Petteway
Tracie Potts
Sylvia Reyna
Collin Robinson
Matthew John Rodriguez
Tony Bennett Shivers
Alison Turner
Emma Violand-Sánchez
Shaton Berry
Dr. Renée LaHuffman-Jackson
Committees
NLRC
Staff
Past National PTA Presidents
James L. Accomando
Laura Bay
Otha Thornton
Betsy Landers
Charles J. Saylors
Jan Harp Domene
Anna Weselak
Linda M. Hodge
Shirley Igo
Ginny Markell
Past National PTA Presidents (1990-1999)
Past National PTA Presidents (1980-1989)
Past National PTA Presidents (1970-1979)
Past National PTA Presidents (1960-1969)
Past National PTA Presidents (1950-1959)
Past National PTA Presidents (1940-1949)
Past National PTA Presidents (1930-1939)
Past National PTA Presidents (1920-1929)
Past National PTA Presidents (1900-1919)
Past National PTA Presidents (1890-1899)
State Offices & Presidents
Become a National PTA Leader
Careers at National PTA
Sponsors & Partners
Advertise with National PTA
Home
/
About PTA
/
Mission Statement
/
History
/
PTA History: 1910-1919
Tweet
1910
President represented National Congress at Home Education Congress, Brussels
February 17 established as Founders’ Day
Resolutions endorsed instruction and care of mother before as well as after birth of the child, and advocated supervision of motion pictures and vaudeville by local organizations because of their influence on children and youth
Memberships: 20,103 in 20 state branches
1911
National convention included Second International Congress on the Welfare of the Child; recommended kindergarten be made part of the public school system
Voted to work for "mothers' pension laws" in every state, child hygiene departments in every board of health, and a separate home education division in the U.S. Bureau (now Office) of Education
1912
PTAs sponsored hot lunch projects in many schools
Chinese women expressed appreciation for National Congress' moral support in efforts to abolish use of opium in China
U.S. Children's Bureau, long advocated by National Congress, established
1913
Federal recognition of parents and educators shown in establishment of Home Education Division of U.S. Bureau of Education (National Congress president a director until 1919, when division became purely governmental)
National Congress president headed joint committee of eight organizations, formed to discuss working together for child welfare
First conference with NEA Department of Superintendence (now American Association of School Administrators) opened door for organizing PTAs in many schools
Set of eight books relating to parents' problems published
1914
National convention included Third International Congress on the Welfare of the Child
Committee on child hygiene started campaign to arouse public interest in reducing infant mortality
Extension of teaching speech to deaf infants was the special concern of another committee
1915
Convention recommended schools provide practical education for motherhood and homemaking
Endowment Fund started with $1,000 gifts from four members
Free bulletins on baby care mailed from National Office upon request
Membership: 59,852 in 33 state branches
1916
Convention urged automatic sprinklers in schools, in addition to fire escapes; reiterated statement that juvenile crime can be checked only through sympathetic, understanding treatment of erring child
Resolutions recommended wise, effective method of censoring moving pictures; urged local units to aid foreign-born mothers to learn English immediately on arrival in this country
1917
Opened service club for enlisted men in Philadelphia
Published 42-page pamphlet on National Congress achievements, Twenty Years' Work for Child Welfare
Added paid fieldworker to staff
Yearbook recommended the term "council" be used for groups of PTAs brought together for united effort
Membership: 122,250, more than double 1915 figure
1918
Headquarters building purchased in Washington DC; used largely as United Service Club for Enlisted Men, cosponsored by the National Congress and D.C. 2War Camp Community Service, with recreational facilities, library, cafeteria, and dormitories
Smaller service clubs sponsored by PTAs in other cities
1919
Members urged to enroll in citizenship and government study classes because "before 1921 the suffrage amendment will be law"
Rehabilitation of servicemen a special concern
Promoted and attended White House Conference on Child Welfare Standards
The dual school system that existed in the South led to the founding of the Georgia Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers by Mrs. Henry Rutherford Butler
Mrs. Butler wrote to National PTA for information and literature on PTA work; response was immediate and liberal
To show its appreciation, Georgia Congress contributed 10 dollars annually to National PTA until the National Colored Congress was organized
Related Content
Giving Tuesday
PTA History: 1960-1969
Board of Directors
Member Offers
Governance