Office of Equity Blog
Five Years of Equity in Action: How Washington State is Redefining Systems Change for All
Five years after the legislature codified its creation, the Washington State Office of Equity gathered with members of its founding Task Force to reflect on a journey from a zero-budget statute to being one of the nation’s largest state-level equity agencies.
On September 15th, inside Room G015C of the Helen Sommers Building on the Capitol Campus, an intimate yet historic gathering took place. Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews stood before a hybrid audience of original Task Force members, and interagency partners for a three-hour report-back breakfast.
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Beyond Equality: Inside Justice Whitener’s Chambers and the Heart of Equity
On a grey, quiet morning in Olympia, a gentle stillness rested over the Capitol Campus. With the state legislature out of session, the grounds were calm and subdued. For Leia Althauser, Engagement Manager at the Washington State Office of Equity, it was a short, brisk walk from her office in the Helen Sommers Building across the plaza to the majestic Temple of Justice.
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From Equity to Ownership: Inside the WAACOC 2026 Business Forum & EXPO in Kennewick
The ambient sound of a live DJ, the aroma of a freshly prepared brunch spread, and the energetic chatter of over 30 local vendors filling the hall set the backdrop at the Three Rivers Convention Center on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
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