Washington Community Action Network Information

With over 35,000 members, Washington CAN! is the state's largest grassroots community organization. Together we work to achieve racial, social, and economic justice in our state and nation. Our strength as an organization depends on our members' involvement. We believe that we can only achieve our goals when people take action for justice. Washington CAN! has a long history of achieving victories for low and moderate-income people in our state. Washington CAN! was born in the 1970's out of the Seattle/Tacoma Light Brigade, which fought against shutting off electricity for low-income families and against the taxpayer subsidization of nuclear power. During the 1980s, the Light Brigade became Washington Fair Share, joining a national network of organizations fighting for consumer justice and achieving statewide victories such as raising the minimum wage. From the early 1990s until 2006 we have fought for justice under the name Washington Citizen Action. Throughout our history, Washington CAN! accomplishments have included establishing the nation's highest inflation-indexed minimum wage, passing one of the strongest Patient's Bill of Rights in the country, ensuring that seasonal farm workers receive the same health benefits as other workers, and spearheading the largest voter registration drive in Washington state history.