The PTA Story-A Century of Commitment to Children is a library-quality, hard-cover book that recounts the significant accomplishments of the National Parent-Teacher Association over the past 100 years. The book's 175 pages and 300 photographs help portray the PTA's illustrious history-from its inaugural meeting in 1897 through to the climactic celebration of its 100th anniversary in February 1997. PTA-By now, just the name itself has become so universal that virtually every adult American knows it. As with the greatest brand names, its familiarity bespeaks both its broad reach and its sterling reputation. The PTA idea has become woven into the basic fabric of our local communities, and as such has become a major thread in the broad weave of American life over this past century. Now in celebration of its 100th anniversary, the National PTA's history has been set down in The PTA Story-A Century of Commitment to Children. This recounting of its achievements reveals the National PTA along with its sister organization, the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers, as one of the most significant volunteer forces in this country's history. That the PTA managed to achieve this prominence was no happy accident of chance. The organization came into being as a result of the hard work and far-reaching influence of some of the most accomplished women of the day. Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney, the founders of the association originally christened the National Congress of Mothers, were women of high social prominence and significant means. They had no reason to believe they could not accomplish great things, and their ambitions for the new association were unbounded. Mrs. Birney made that clear when she wrote in 1898, "The National Congress of Mothers, irrespective of creed, color, or condition, stands for all parenthood, childhood, home-hood. Its platform is the universe; its organization, the human race." This commitment was also embraced by Selena Sloan Butler, who, with the support of the National PTA, founded the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers in 1926. When the two organizations merged in 1970, so did their identical mission to improve the lives of children. Within these pages you will read the inspirational chronicle of how the dreams of a few became a national movement-a force that has, for a century, touched the lives of millions of children. It's the story of visionary leadership and tireless workers. The PTA Story-A Century of Commitment to Children profiles that story from the work of founders Birney, Hearst, and Butler on juvenile justice issues, kindergarten classes, and child labor laws, to hot lunch programs, automobile safety, and the Salk Polio vaccine, down through to today's National Education Goals and the PTA Web site. Not just a story for ourselves, but one to share with anyone who makes a difference for children.