3 Reasons Why PTA Means So Much to Me

Anna-King-grandchildrenA few years ago, a politician said something to me that hit me to my core and helped me find my voice. He was talking about the need for prisons and said they knew whether a child would go to college or prison by how they could read in the third grade.

So I thought, if we know that children are in trouble by the third grade, the answer isn’t to build prisons, it’s to build better schools and help our kids!

I believe in education and I hope you do too—because, now more than ever, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and everyone who cares about children needs to speak out loudly and effectively on their behalf. And no organization helps us do that better than National PTA.

If you’ve ever had kids in your life, PTA needs no introduction. You know about the cookie dough and wrapping paper drives that your school’s PTA puts on. Sometimes they’re trying to buy nicer playground equipment or new technology. Other times they’re making sure kids have the basic supplies, like notebooks and pencils.

It might seem strange because I am a grandmother in Oklahoma who’s raised her kids, but I am still inspired to be a part of the PTA chorus of advocating for every child with one voice. Here’s why:

  • You don’t have to have a student in school to join and use your voice. To me, that’s so inspiring. It shows me what’s possible. My own children are grown, but that doesn’t mean I no longer have a vested interest in today’s kids and schools. I now advocate side by side with my children for my grandchildren. I know that when schools are good, kids have a better chance to succeed—and when kids succeed, our community and country succeeds too. With leadership and guidance from National PTA, I’ve knocked on state and federal legislators’ doors, the governor’s door, spoken up at state and school board meetings and rallied other parents and community lead­ers to get involved. And I’ve seen how we can make a difference together because you can, too.
  • It takes a village of people who care, get more involved. My daughter’s high school didn’t have a PTA when she started as a freshman. But because of family and community involvement, it now has a strong and active group of parents, grandparents, alumni, teachers (and students!), who are working on behalf of their school. Feeding over 300 students bi-weekly with the food pantry is just one thing this PTA is now doing. Because of family and community involvement, local schools where I live have resources from our school district on how to help homeless par­ents and get clothing and shelter to abused moms and kids. Because of family and community involvement, PTAs throughout Oklahoma City and the entire state of Oklahoma are talking to each other, working with each other and speaking up for kids with each other.
  • You can make every child’s dream a reality. Right now, National PTA is leading the charge to restore federal funds that have been cut from education, bring pre-kindergarten to every child, ensure safe and healthy environments in all schools, raise the bar on academic achievement so every child can reach his or her full potential, and more. Whether we’re talking about funding for pre-kindergarten or creating safe schools, this is a fight for our future.

So let’s give our kids the bright future they deserve. We need to stand together to change the world for our children and grandchildren. Will you join me by donating to National PTA, the nation’s most determined and trusted voice for children? We can make a difference!


Anna King is a member of National PTA board of directors, former president of Oklahoma PTA and is a part of the Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Commission and participates in the Oklahoma Prevention Leadership Collaborative.

Behind the Membership Scenes: To Activate Your Card…or Not?

To activate or not; that is the question.

We received some emails asking why we are encouraging you to activate the new card. It’s a great question, considering we’ve never requested it of you.

Should I activate the card? Are others activating their card? Am I still a member of PTA if I don’t activate my card? Are you going to give my email address to other companies?

Yes, you should activate the card. Card activation helps PTA meet your needs. When you activate your card, you share with us what role you play in the PTA family… parent, teacher, grandparent, guardian, school administrator, student, or supporter! Knowing who you are helps us to provide resources you need and want.

Yes, other PTA members have activated their cards. Hundreds of thousands of the PTA member network have activated their card to access benefits and that number grows every day. The great thing about card activation: You can activate your membership card anytime you’re ready! Even right now.  It’s never too late to activate.

Yes, you’re still a member of PTA even if you don’t activate your membership card. However, activating your card helps to count your voice. We are a powerful network of 5,000,000 members spread across 54 Congresses (the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Europe). Activating your card helps us to count your voice from state to state. Telling us your voice count helps us get valuable discounts on products and services that can benefit your children, your child’s school, or you. Better voice count equals better discounts!

No, we won’t sell your information to a third party vendor. Receiving unwanted email is not fun, and we won’t add to the dilemma. We keep your email address in confidence and value your willingness to share with us to better serve you and all children.

Activate your card now!


Joy Lindsey is the Membership Marketing Manager for National PTA in Alexandria, VA. Contact Joy at jlindsey@pta.org.