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
Letter of Interest
Careers at National PTA
Sponsors & Partners
Advertise with National PTA
PTA History: 1950-1959
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
2020 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
Carrie Neill
Dr. Traci Petteway
Madeleine Plumey-Cruz
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
Letter of Interest
Careers at National PTA
Sponsors & Partners
Advertise with National PTA
Home
/
About PTA
/
Mission Statement
/
History
/
PTA History: 1950-1959
Tweet
1950
Convention guests from six foreign countries
National PTA purchased site for national headquarters, Chicago
Active in Midcentury White House Conference on Children and Youth held
National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT) represented on steering committee and Mrs. Morgan served on president's committee for 1950 White House Conference on Children and Youth; NCCPT well-represented at this Midcentury Conference
Helped initiate CARE Children's Book Project, to which PTAs gave more than $29,000 during next 10 years
National PTA president went to Japan to work with national leaders representing 31,000 PTAs there
Parent education consultants again conducted five regional summer workshops
National PTA appointed special committee on group relations to replace and expand work of joint National PTA–NCCPT committee; new committee to deal with not only mutual problems but also questions of nationality, race, culture, and group relations of all sections of country
National PTA membership: 6,167,079
1951
National convention studied findings on Midcentury White House Conference on Children and Youth; added tenth point, "World Outlook," to Permanent Platform
National PTA called conference on narcotics and drug addiction, with representatives from 25 other organizations attending
Published leaflet, Everybody's Schools, for 31st observance of American Education Week
Was host to six persons from Japan studying PTA movement under sponsorship of U.S. Office of Education and as part of Far East Command Exchange of Persons Program
National PTA president attended meeting of World Organization of the Teaching Profession (WOTP), Valletta, Malta
1952
Mrs. Newton P. Leonard elected National PTA president; appointed member of U.S. President's Mutual Security Public Advisory Board to U.S. Senate; appointed chairman of Advisory Committee on Young Workers by Secretary of Labor
Nine-point program on improvement of public schools drafted by NEA–National PTA Joint Committee
International Conference on the Child in Home, School, and Community, Lansing, Michigan, sponsored jointly with Canadian Home and School and Parent-Teacher Federation
Board recommended PTAs work for fluoridation of community water supplies
National PTA president attended meeting of WOTP in Copenhagen, Denmark
1953
Mrs. Mayme Williams elected NCCPT president
Cornerstone laid for National PTA national headquarters building
National PTA cooperated with National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and Red Cross in planning educational campaign for prevention of polio
National PTA president one of main speakers at U.S. Office of Education Conference on the Role of Foreign Languages in American Schools; attended meeting of World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP, successor to WOTP), Oxford, England
1954
National PTA national office moved to new headquarters, 700 North Rush Street, Chicago
National PTA promoted active participation in National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis field trial tests of vaccine to prevent polio
U.S. president signed fireworks bill, for which National PTA had worked towards
National PTA president invited to represent people of U.S. in project sponsored by U.S. Foreign Operations Administration to provide gifts of food for people in several foreign countries; attended WCOTP meeting, Oslo, Norway
Signals for Safety and Working with Youth Through the High School PTA published
U.S. Supreme Court handed down decisions regarding desegregation of public schools
National PTA and NCCPT, meeting together annually, recommended definite programs of cooperation
1955
Mrs. Rollin Brown elected National PTA president; attended WCOTP meeting, Istanbul, Turkey
National headquarters dedicated in Chicago
National PTA, at request of U.S. Senate subcommittee, circulated questionnaire to state congresses on suggestions for UN Charter revision
Received citation from U.S. Secretary of State for working to make principles of UN Charter vital and real
President appointed to 34-member conference committee of White House Conference on Education; PTA members participated in preparatory conferences for White House Conference on Education
Convention resolution supported minimum beginning salary of $3,600 a year for teachers with full professional qualifications
NCCPT adopted resolution endorsing action of Supreme Court and encouraging appointment of intergroup committees on state and local levels
Mrs. Williams served on U.S. president's committee which planned White House Conference on Education
National PTA membership: 9,409,282
1956
Goal of 10 million National PTA memberships reached
National PTA invited representatives from 20 organizations concerned with child health to help plan PTA program for continuous health supervision of children from birth through high school (extension of Summer Round-Up program)
President attended WCOTP meeting in Manila
State congresses reported almost $2,500,000 in scholarship awards to students and teachers
PTA Magazine celebrated its Golden Jubilee
Library services bill, long advocated by PTA, signed into law
Received award for "excellence in architecture" from American Institute of Architects and Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry
1957
Mrs. Albert R. Kight elected NCCPT president; administration themes, "Imperatives for Growth in the Home, School, and Community" and "Quality for PTA's Optimum Growth"
Awarded plaque by the National Foundation for "unprecedented participation in historic development of a preventive measure against paralytic polio and for outstanding volunteer leadership in achieving record acceptance of the Salk vaccine
60th birthday commemorative album of historical data presented to Library of Congress
National PTA invited representatives from health organizations to serve on advisory committee for continuous health supervision program
Published What PTA Members Should Know About Juvenile Delinquency
Alaska organized as 51st National PTA branch
National PTA president attended WCOTP meeting, Frankfurt
1958
Mrs. James C. Parker elected National PTA president; participated in U.S. government "people-to-people" mission in South America; appointed to overall committee for 1960 White House Conference on Children and Youth; attended WCOTP meeting, Rome
Special pamphlet, Looking In on Your School, published in response to U.S. President's assignment to PTAs to scrutinize school programs
PTAs worked effectively for passage of National Defense Education Act of 1958
European Congress of American Parents and Teachers organized as 52nd branch
Statement of principles adopted to replace permanent platform
General revision of national bylaws
National PTA Board formally authorized the use of PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) as a further incentive for student participation
1959
With American Social Health Association, cosponsored three-year, four-state Rocky Mountain Project in Family Life Education
Convention delegates voted unanimously to support U.S. postmaster general's plan for combating distribution of pornographic materials
Magazine started TV program evaluations
National PTA president attended WCOTP, Washington, DC
International relations chairman, with 53 other U.S. representatives, made 10-day study tour of Radio Free Europe installations
Related Content
Why Students Need PTA
Past National PTA Presidents (1980-1989)
Privacy Policy
Legacy Room
Contact National PTA