Early childhood education changed in the twentieth century, from mother-at-home-care in the 1950s, to professional early education today. Theoretical and social-political choices of pioneers in ECE had a profound impact on the way children's education is conceptualized. We argue from a social constructivist perspective. The oral history method is used to document the professional life stories of 29 pioneers, born in Europe and the USA between 1940 and 1955. These pioneers were inspired by personal histories of growing up in the post-WWII / the cold war era, and, for some, their experience with poverty and discrimination based on social class and gender; but also by social-political movements of the 1970s. These experiences motivated to fight against discrimination, to support women's and children's rights, and communities, through the provision of high-quality services. They expressed concern that these values are at risk today by the dominance of economics and neoliberal policies.