Founders Day & Honorary Service Awards

Founders Day

For more than a century, National PTA has provided support, information and resources to families focused on the health and education of children. The organization was founded in 1897 in Washington DC as the National Congress of Mothers by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. If not for these women and their vision and determination, there would not be a PTA – an organization that has been woven into the very fabric of American life.

By whatever name it has been known, National PTA was created to meet a profound challenge: to better the lives of children. And today, it continues to flourish because PTA has never lost sight of its goal: to change the lives of children across our great nation for the better.

Click here for resources to celebrate Founders Day.

Honorary Service Award

While paying tribute to the three Founders and all who worked with them, it is also an appropriate time to show appreciation to those in your own PTA and community who have been dedicated advocates for children.

The Honorary Service Award, Continuing Service Award, Golden Oak Service Award and Very Special Person Award are bestowed on very special people to honor them for their outstanding efforts on behalf of children. Donations may also be made. (Note: Awards may be presented throughout the year.)

Honorary Service Award nomination form