National PTA President-Elect Dr. William Datema presents the 2024 Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award to Washington State PTA., represented by Angela Steck and Gwen Loosmore.
Washington State PTA is proud to be the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award, as recognized by National PTA.
This honor is awarded to one state PTA whose efforts positively affected legislative and/or regulatory policy aligned with National PTA’s current public policy platform, such as family engagement, school safety, welcoming/inclusive schools, and digital safety.
From National PTA’s press release:
Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award—Washington State PTA
For multiple legislative sessions, Washington State PTA has focused their advocacy efforts on supporting legislation and policies that will help prevent and reduce gun violence and suicide, including: (1) addressing the disproportionate impact on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth; (2) funding community-based prevention and intervention programs; (3) promoting safe storage of medication and firearms; and (4) prohibiting the sale or transfer of military-style assault weapons. As part of their efforts, Washington State PTA Advocacy and Resolutions Committee members have been meeting and discussing bills with legislators and offering improvements and feedback; preparing and delivering testimony; and using methods and communication vehicles including events, action alerts, their website, newsletters, blog posts and social media to impact change. Thanks to their efforts, legislation was passed and signed into law during the 2023 legislative session to prohibit assault weapons (with a few exceptions), promote safe storage of firearms and medication, provide funding for community prevention programs and more. So much progress was made during the 2023 legislative session that Washington State PTA has added new goals for the 2024 legislative session, including expanding existing law to prohibit firearms where families and youth congregate in public places and restoring local government authority to enhance state firearm regulations to protect children and youth.
Outstanding Advocacy Award recipients are selected by National PTA’s Legislation Committee. Washington State PTA will receive a $1,000 award to further its advocacy work.
WSPTA and the other honorees will be recognized during National PTA’s- 2024 Legislative Conference on Wednesday, March 6, at The Westin Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, Va.
WSPTA Press Release: Advocacy Award Press Release