Now Accepting Nominations
Each year, the National PTA Outstanding Advocacy Awards honor state, local and individual PTA advocates for taking action to make a difference for the education, health, safety and well-being of every child. We are looking for PTAs/individual advocates who have positively affected policy or change in their community in alignment with PTA’s mission and policy goals. Applications for 2026 are now closed.
Award Categories
- Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy
- Outstanding State PTA Advocacy
- Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year
- Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year
Please Note:
All nominations will be reviewed by the National PTA Legislation Committee. Any PTA member may submit a nomination and presidents may nominate their own PTA. Only PTAs in good standing may be nominated. Winners will be announced in January and will be recognized at the 2026 Legislative Conference in March.
Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award
The Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award is awarded annually to one local, district, council or regional PTA that through their dedication, leadership and efforts positively affected legislative and/or regulatory policy aligned with National PTA’s public policy agenda.
Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award
The Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award is awarded annually to one state PTA that through their dedication, leadership and efforts positively affected legislative and/or regulatory policy aligned with National PTA’s public policy agenda.
Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award
The Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award is awarded annually to one individual who most exemplifies the qualities that made one of PTA’s greatest child advocate leaders, former National PTA President Shirley Igo, a true advocate for all children. Former President Igo was a model of public service and volunteerism throughout her life. She was an impassioned and compassionate leader, dedicated to moving PTA forward and committed to ensuring that others would follow.
Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award
The Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award is awarded annually to a young person (defined as someone under 18, or still in high school at the time of nomination) who exemplifies the qualities of creativity, leadership, and dedication, and has positively affected policy or change in his or her school or community in a way that aligns with PTA’s mission and goals. The youth individual(s) must be a member of a PTA or PTSA.
This is your chance to showcase the outstanding impact your or your PTA’s advocacy work has had on your community! Awardees with be honored during National PTA’s Legislative Conference in 2025.
We also honor two members of Congress (bicameral, bipartisan) with the PTA Congressional Voice for Children Award in recognition of outstanding leadership related to child and education advocacy. Congressional award winners are nominated and selected by the National PTA Legislation Committee and National PTA President.