The Alabama Textile Manufacturers Association, the state's oldest trade organization, was organized in 1901 as the Alabama Cotton Manufacturers Association. Under the leadership of president T. Scott Roberts, 1906-1938, the Association increased its membership to such an extent that in the latter year, a permenent staff was employed. Prior to 1983, mill officials themselves performed all necissary duties. An office building near the state capitol was purchased and an office secretary, an Association secretary, and an executive vice-president were installed. From 1938 to 1965, Dwight M. Wilhelm served as the Association's first paid executive officer. In 1939, annual meetings (held in either April or May) were inaugurated. An Annual Meeting Committee composed of the vice-president, 3 mill officers, 3 associate members, and their spouses planned the meeting's special programs. An Alabama Textile Safety Contest was initiated by Hugh M. Comer in 1941, with trophies awarded in spinning and weaving and spinning divisions for the greatest progress in safety over the year. In 1960, Safety Seminars began to be presented every Februrary in Auburn and Montgomery. The Alabama Maid of Cotton program began in 1946 with the support of the "Birmingham Post". The program subsequently expanded to include support from all cotton interests, the Alabama Press Association, the Alabama Farm Bureau Federation, the state Cooperative Extention Service, the Broadcasters Association, the Alabama State Fair, and the Alabama Cotton Promotion Committee. The Cotton Improvement Program began in 1946 with district and state winners selected for greatest lint increase and greatest seed increase. In 1970, the program became the King of Cotton awards with prizes awarded in 3 divisions for large and small farm producers. The Public Relations Program began in 1947 and the Birmingham or Montgomery annual meeting began to honor various guests related to textile manufacturing. In 1950, a history of the state's textile industry was published by the Association staff. Copies of this and other reports were circulated nationally and internationally. Sara T. Davenport was elected as the Association's secretary in 1954. Four years later, the Association adopted its present name to better reflect its membership, which included 3 large primary producers of synthetic fibers. Bob Kendall served as executive officer between 1965 and 1968, and in the latter year, Tom Eden was elected executive vice-president of the Association. The ATMA membership includes 96 percent of Alabama textiles mills, the largest industrial employer in the state with over 100,000 workers and an annual payroll of $870 million. Active membership is through company affiliation with individual executives representing memeber firms. Association membership is available to individuals who represent firms which provide services, machinery, and supplies to the textile mills. The organization's main function is to provide a framework for the industry and the associated businesses to achieve mutual goals. The Association provides guidance for the textile industry in dealing with industrial and governmental problems. The ATMA workes closely with federal and state agencies, educational institutions, and the general public. An unpaid president, vice-president, and treasurer are chosen from and by the members, while the ATMA's executive board elects the staff officers. Actualmanagement of the ATMA is vested in the Board of Directors and officers, made up of 12 Association executives elected by the membership for 3-year terms.