Utah PTA History

• 1847 - The first school was opened in Salt Lake Valley by Mary Jane Dilworth.
• 1897 - Three Utah delegates attended the first National Congress meeting in Washington, D.C.
• 1898 - Utah Congress of Mothers was formed by Mrs. C. E. Allen, one of Utah’s delegates to the National Congress.
• 1899 - At a Utah Congress of Mothers Convention, reports were given by twenty delegates from throughout the state.
• 1901 - Utah Congress of Mothers ceased to function as a state association.
• 1912 - NEA Department of School Patrons reported “Utah...has been meeting throughout the year and working for improved health conditions for school children.”
• 1912 - In Provo School District the Home and School Association was organized based upon the National Congress.
• 1914 - In March at Lafayette School, a permanent central parent-teacher organization was created, known as the Home and School League of Salt Lake City.
• 1914 - In May a constitution and bylaws were adopted. A survey was conducted to determine what patrons wanted children taught in sewing and cooking. Also comprehensive work was done on Motion Pictures for Young People.
• 1917 - Many successful parent classes on domestic science were held as a result of a survey on home economy.
• 1918 - As a part of the war effort a health survey of preschool children was made. House Bill #44 passed adding to responsibilities for the Home School League “An act creating the office of Director of Health Education...and providing for the promotion of the physical welfare of children of preschool age.”

1920 - 1950

• 1920 - An extensive Parent Education Project was developed throughout the state.
• 1925 - Utah joined the National Congress of Parents and Teachers.
• 1929 - Utah won the National Banner for the greatest increase in membership.
• 1929 - The first annual convention of the Utah Congress of Parents and Teachers was held.
• 1931 - A state office was located at 149-1/2 Regent Street, Salt Lake City, for which $10 a year rent was paid.
• 1932 - A new office, Room Mother or Room Representative, was created.
• 1933 - Summer Round-up was started. The Congress had the responsibility to “round up” the children for examination and to urge parents to have any defects corrected before the opening of school.
• 1935 - Warm lunches were provided for 1,200 children who left home early and rode long distances in buses.
• 1936 - Through the kindness of the Salt Lake City Board of Education, office space, equipment and service were allotted for the Utah Congress in the Lafayette School.
• 1938 - On May 15-20 the 42nd National Convention was held in Salt Lake City.
• 1940 - Articles of incorporation were obtained.
• 1942 - Convention theme “America Strong, with Spirit Free.” A war emergency committee was appointed. It worked for the identification of all children, the appointment of Block Mothers, the evacuation of children in the event of disaster and for the collection of materials for the use of local units.

1951 - 1989

• 1951 - Every school in the state had a PTA.
• 1952 - Utah inaugurated a unique plan: a school for the study of alcoholism was held on the Utah State University campus.
• 1953 - Utah PTA moved from Lafayette School to space in the new UEA building at 312 East South Temple.
• 1955 - By 1955 Utah had contributed $9,623 for National PTA headquarters in Chicago—more than the pledged quota.
• 1956 - Credit was due to the Utah Congress for the legislative passage of driver education and library service bills.
• 1958 - Utah Congress membership surpassed 100,000 members.
• 1961 - On January 2, the Utah Congress acquired its first permanent headquarters at 1037 East South Temple, Salt Lake City. In April, it moved into the new office.
• 1969 - Utah State Board of Managers was reduced from 45 to 27 members.
• 1970 - Critical Issues Conferences began.
• 1971 - Five commissions replaced the former eight state directors.
• 1973-74 - Area apportionment study created 18 regions; Sound Off, a state-wide newsletter, began circulation.
• 1987 - A wall in the office was removed and extensive redecorating on the first floor was accomplished.
• 1988 - The 92nd National PTA Convention was held in Salt Lake City.

1990 - 1999

• 1990 - Through diligent effort by its state-wide legislative network, the Utah Congress was instrumental in averting a teachers’ strike.
• 1990 - A partnership between the Utah PTA and State Office of Education formed the Utah Center for Families in Education.
• 1990 - The second phase of the redecoration and restoration of the office began, to finish the downstairs and begin upstairs.
• 1990 - Utah won every major award given at the National PTA Convention in Indianapolis.
• 1990 - Collection and preservation of the records and history of the Utah Congress was begun by the University of Utah.
• 1990 - The first statewide parent involvement conference was held.
• 1991 - First state-wide self-esteem conference was held.
• 1991 - Utah PTA and KUED presented the first “Golden Apple” Awards.
• 1991 - The Utah Legislature and Governor Bangerter proclaimed February as PTA month.
• 1991 - First state PTSA Convention held in conjunction with Utah PTA Convention at BYU.
• 1992 - Due to PTA efforts, the Utah Legislature passed seven bills dealing with the management of the school trust lands.
• 1992 - Education and Family Life Commission was divided into two separate commissions.
• 1992 - First Parent Summit held. Key business, community and education leaders met to discuss needs and an action plan for parental involvement. Mission Statement developed and adopted.
• 1992 - “Knowledge Revolution” pilot program introduced in Utah.
• 1993 - Influential in legislation mandating funding of kindergarten.
• 1993 - Governor signs proclamation adopting the seventh educational goal for Utah 2000 concerning parent involvement.
• 1994 - Passage of School Trust Lands Management Act.
• 1994 - Family Education Plan (FEP) expanded.
• 1994 - Membership increase of over 4,000 members.
• 1994 - Sound Off changed to PTA Perspectives.
• 1995 - Reached membership goal of 150,000 (150,479).
• 1996 - Parent Involvement Task Force was formed and six bills passed to enhance parent involvement.
• 1996 - An SEP/SEOP training video produced with Utah Center for Families in Education.
• 1996 - 12,000 families trained in FEP with Utah Center for Families.
• 1996 - Extensive office remodeling took place to accommodate expanding office technology.
• 1996 - Extensive outdoor landscaping completed.
• 1996 - Record appropriations to education through the legislature including funding of SEP/SEOPs.
• 1996 - Partnership with BYU public relations class produced five marketing plans for PTA.
• 1996 - Over 1,746,072 volunteer hours given from throughout the state.
• 1996 - First Council President Conference held.
• 1997 - 100th Year Celebration.
• 1997 - Utah PTA went "online."
• 1997 - Region 20 created in Washington County.
• 1998 - Utah received a $10,000 New Initiatives Grant from National PTA.
• 1998 - Three new Reflections categories were created and piloted in Utah: Dance, Theater and Film/Video.
• 1998 - In October Utah PTA received a Federal Goals 2000 grant for Parent Information and Family Resource Centers. The four-year grant amounted to $2,000,000.
• 1998 - Office front room turned into office for three employees for the Resource Centers.
• 1998 - First President's Outreach held across the state.
• 1998 - PTA office put on an entirely new roof at a cost of $17,000.
• 1998 - Over 2.1 million volunteer hours given.
• 1999 - School Trust Lands Exchange Bill signed in January by President Clinton, the biggest land exchange since the Louisiana Purchase.
• 1999 - New Utah PTA Mission Statement and logo were introduced at Utah PTA Convention.
• 1999 - Honorary Membership chair, actress Roma Downey, was announced at the Utah PTA Convention. A videotaped message was presented.

2000 - Present

• 2000 - Utah PTA Board restructured with eight executive committee members. Commissioners now serve under the Vice President for Programs. More Board work is now assigned to Appointees.
• 2000 - Statewide training held on National Parent Involvement Standards and Building Successful Partnerships.
• 2000 - Divided the annual Convention into a Leadership Convention and a Business & Resolutions Convention.
• 2001 - Dr. Joyce Epstein, Director of the Center on Family, School, and Community Partnerships, Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University was the keynote speaker at the Utah PTA Leadership Convention.
• 2001 - Statewide collaboration between Utah PTA, USOE, and UEA on the Partnership Network and Building Successful Partnerships Program.
• 2001 - Utah PTA moved to a new office at 5192 South Greenpine Drive in Murray, Utah.
• 2002 - 1st Annual Utah PTA Road Trip to promote community involvement and membership.
• 2002 - Utah PTA was part of CLASS and the Governor's Olympic Music program.
• 2003 - Utah PTA formed partnership with National Alliance for Mentally Ill of Utah (NAMI) and their "Hope for Tomorrow" Program.
• 2003 - Utah PTA Art Education Fund Created.
• 2003 - Utah PTA presented a check for $62,263,860 to Governor Olene Walker representing PTA volunteer hours.
• 2005 - Parent Involvement Resolution passed by State School Board.
• 2007 - PTA becomes founding member of Utahns for Public Schools, promoting public education and fighting for repeal of voucher legislation.

2011 - 2013 — Gainell Rogers
2009 - 2011 — Ilene Mecham
2007 - 2009 — Marilyn Simister
2005 - 2007 — Carmen Snow
2003 - 2005 — JoAnn Neilson
2001 - 2003 — Susan Dayton
1999 - 2001 — Colleen Taylor
1997 - 1999 — Barbara Willie
1995 - 1997 — Linda M. Parkinson
1993 - 1995 — Mareid B. Horton
1991 - 1993 — Joyce Muhlestein
1989 - 1991 — Pat Hales
1987 - 1989 — Darlene Gubler
1985 - 1987 — Lenora Plothow
1983 - 1985 — Donna Davies
1981 - 1983 — Gayle Judd
1978 - 1981 — Darlene Hutchison
1976 - 1978 — Mrs. Jack L. Smith
1974 - 1976 — Dixie Nelson
1972 - 1974 — Joan Burnside
1970 - 1972 — Lila Bjorklund
1967 - 1970 — Mrs. Youngs McGregor
1964 - 1967 — Mr. Rowan C. Stutz
1961 - 1964 — Mrs. James W. Ure III
1959 - 1961 — Dr. Ellvert H. Himes
1958 - 1959 — Mrs. George H. Jones
1955 - 1958 — Mrs. H. Cecil Baker
1952 - 1955 — Mrs. Donald E. Rose
1947 - 1952 — Mrs. Charles L. Walker
1945 - 1947 — Mrs. Eric A. Johnson
1943 - 1945 — Mrs. Edmund P. Evans
1938 - 1943 — Mrs. Lee K. Nicholson
1935 - 1938 — Mrs. Arch J. West
1931 - 1935 — Mrs. John K. Hardy
1925 - 1931 — Mrs. William Reid