The Lois Jean White Award is awarded to a PTA leader through an application assessment by the Leadership Committee. The award cannot be self-nominated. Access the form here.
About Lois Jean White:
Lois Jean Barron White, the first African American President of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Lois Jean initially became involved with the Parent Teacher Association in Knoxville for the benefit of her son. Recognizing the importance of both volunteer work and the central role of parents in their children’s educational development, she joined the Knoxville PTA and eventually was voted a representative to the PTA Council, which served as a link between the local and state chapters. In 1989, Lois Jean White became the third African American elected as state president of the Tennessee PTA. Six years later, in 1995, she was elected president of the National PTA.