The Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association (WOTA) was organized in 1920 at the Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee. The association was closely affiliated with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), which had been organized in 1917. In 1923 and again in 1933 AOTA held its national conference in Milwaukee. At both conferences the participants attended tours of occupational therapy departments in Milwaukee health institutions.
As stated in their constitution, WOTA members promoted the development of occupational therapy in various types of hospitals, and the education and coalition of occupational therapists. Early activities included fund raising and sponsoring discussions and symposiums. WOTA began publishing newsletters and bulletins in 1924; this continued through to the 1970s.
During the 1960s WOTA concerns turned toward the recruitment of occupational therapists, and retired occupational therapists were encouraged to return to the field. WOTA sponsored refresher courses and examined the qualifications of occupational therapists and the requirements of occupational therapy programs. Because of membership growth in the 1960s, districts were formed to encourage attendance and participation on a local level. In addition to attending national conferences, WOTA also sponsored its own annual conferences. During the 1970s they addressed administration, social change, community action, continuing education, and accreditation. During this period WOTA was also active in legislative activities, and members participated in health policy task forces and lobbied for bills concerning social security and for other health care acts.
In 1975 the AOTA national conference was again held in Milwaukee. A special History Committee was formed by the WOTA to gather historical data about the origins and development of occupational therapy in Wisconsin for display at the meeting. Further information about the history of the organization and the lives of its early members may be found in the records of that meeting and in The Way We Were in Wisconsin, a brief history which may be found in the papers.
