The History of SCPTA
For more than 100 years, South Carolina PTA has worked to advocate for children, support families, and strengthen schools. Explore the history of South Carolina PTA and the leaders, milestones, and accomplishments that have shaped our organization.
On Feb., 17, 1897, over 2,000 people—mostly mothers, but also fathers, teachers, laborers, and legislators—attended the first convocation of the National Congress of Mothers in Washington, D.C. Twenty-six years later, the South Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers was chartered.
For more than a century, South Carolina PTA has been a powerful voice for children, families, and communities across our state. Chartered in 1923, SCPTA was built on a shared belief that every child deserves a strong start, a quality education, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
From its earliest days, SCPTA has worked to improve the lives of children by advocating for stronger schools, supporting families, and promoting programs that benefit students throughout South Carolina. Generations of PTA volunteers have dedicated their time, talents, and passion to creating positive change, proving that when families and communities work together, children thrive.
Throughout its history, SCPTA has played an important role in advancing child advocacy, strengthening family engagement, and providing resources and leadership development to local PTA units. The organization’s greatest strength has always been its members—the parents, educators, and community advocates who believe in the power of collective action and the importance of a voice for every child.
Today, SCPTA continues this proud legacy by empowering local PTAs, advocating for children and families, developing leaders, and building partnerships that strengthen communities across South Carolina. While the needs of children and schools continue to evolve, our mission remains the same: to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
Founders’ Day
Founders’ Day (Feb. 17) is when we celebrate the legacy and work of our founders—Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Selena Sloan Butler—to better the lives of every child in education, health and safety. It is a time to reflect and take pride in our achievements, and renew our commitment to be a:
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powerful voice for all children;
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relevant resource for parents; and
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strong advocate for public education.
Our founders represented women of imagination and courage. They had a simple idea—to improve the lives and future of all children. They understood the power of individual action, worked beyond the accepted barriers of their day, and took action to change the world for all children.