National PTA Honors Outstanding Advocacy Efforts

National PTA Honors Outstanding Advocacy Efforts

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Feb. 9, 2026)-National PTA is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2026 Outstanding Advocacy Awards, which honor PTAs and PTA advocates for taking action to improve the education, health, safety and well-being of every child.

The 2026 Outstanding Advocacy Award recipients are:

• Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award-New York State PTA
  When federal funding for universal free school meals ended in June 2022, New York State PTA focused its advocacy efforts on securing funding in the New York state budget for school meals for all students in New York.
  

• Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award-Double Eagle Elementary PTA (Albuquerque, N.M.)In the past year, Double Eagle Elementary PTA partnered with teachers and administrators to implement three major initiatives, including improving student math scores through a pilot instructional program; decreasing bullying and improving student behavior through social-emotional education; and improving mind, body and wellness while increasing family engagement.
  

• Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award-Devin Brown (Pearsontown Elementary PTA, Durham, N.C.)
  As chair of Pearsontown Elementary PTA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, Devin Brown has worked to ensure every parent, caregiver and child-especially those from historically excluded groups-has equitable access to communication, learning and inclusion.
  

• Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award-Anagha Sainath (American High School PTSA, Fremont, Calif.)Anagha Sainath's goal with her advocacy has been to bring attention to the crisis faced by school districts in California that are underfunded despite extremely high costs of living.
  

"PTAs and PTA advocates work hard every day to raise their voices and make sure every student, family and school has what they need to thrive," said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA. "New York State PTA, Double Eagle Elementary PTA, Devin and Anagha exemplify what our association does best, and we are thrilled to recognize their efforts with our 2026 Outstanding Advocacy Awards."

The Outstanding Advocacy Award recipients are selected by National PTA's Legislation Committee. New York State PTA will receive $1,000 to further their work and Double Eagle Elementary School PTA will receive $500. The Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award is named after past National PTA President (2001-2003) Shirley Igo, who was an impassioned and compassionate leader, dedicated to moving PTA forward and committed to ensuring that others would follow. The Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award is supported for the third consecutive year by Proud National PTA Sponsor Uber. The company is collaborating with National PTA to uplift youth voices and promote youth advocacy, agency and empowerment. The Outstanding Advocacy Award honorees will be recognized during National PTA's 2026 Legislative Conference (LegCon), March 2-4 in Alexandria, Va.

"Our award recipients exemplify how dedication and collaboration create positive, meaningful change within school communities," said Howie Berman, MA, CAE, National PTA executive director. "At PTA, we remain steadfast in our mission to make every child's potential a reality. We will never stop advocating loudly for every child, family and school across our country."

Read more about the work of the 2026 Outstanding Advocacy Award recipients at PTA.org/AdvocacyAwards.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.