Membership Committee Spotlight – Ina Ferguson, NYS PTA Urban Specialist
My name is Ina Ferguson and I am the NYS PTA Urban Specialist. I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. I am the proud stepmother of 5, grandmother of 12, and great-grandmother of 1 and godmother to 7! I am a retired healthcare worker with 1199 SEIU and a retired teacher’s aide with the Buffalo Public Schools. My advocacy has continued for children and families in Buffalo and Western NY for over 20 years.
As a child, my mother was an active PTA leader. Unfortunately, over the years all of the PTAs in the city disbanded. In 2016, the opportunity came to start a PTSA in the high school where I worked. I quickly sought out the chance to organize the parents and students to start the PTSA. It was important for me to include the students’ voices as a PTSA.
My passion for advocacy led me to a position on the Western Region executive committee. Summer Leadership Conference in 2018 was the first NYS PTA event I attended. I enjoyed meeting people from across the state and learning more about PTA. I am especially interested in our diversity efforts at all levels of PTA.
PTA membership will give you a voice. I have learned through my years of advocacy that all children must come first. I am grateful for the support of other PTA leaders as I use my voice for all children. Whether at home or in Albany “you will always lose when you battle with me over children.”