Getting Started

In 1897 when Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst decided that someone should speak out on behalf of children, they founded the National Congress of Mothers. Selena Sloan Butler founded the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers Association in 1926 to advocate for children in segregated schools. The two organizations merged in 1970 to form the National PTA.

For over 125 years, PTA advocacy has resulted in:

• Creation of Kindergarten classes
• Child labor laws
• Public health service
• Juvenile Justice system
• Mandatory immunization
• School lunch program

Today, PTA continues to advocate for all children, to press for adequate, equitable, and sustainable school funding, to create safe and healthy communities, and to make every child’s potential a reality. Become an advocate by joining the Illinois PTA Takes Action Network to add your voice to PTA’s one voice for every child.

Illinois PTA Legislation Platform in Brief

Illinois PTA Legislation Platform and Explanation