Advocacy 101: Advocacy Lessons from Our Past

There is power in looking back. When we reflect on advocacy victories from the past, we do more than just honor those who came before us. We gather insight for the work ahead. Many of the issues older adults and people with disabilities face today, from housing affordability to healthcare access and financial security, are not new. Previous generations confronted similar challenges and found ways to influence policy in simple, but meaningful and lasting ways. By studying their efforts, we gain practical lessons about how change happens and how each of us can play a role.

One example is the Senior Citizens Services Act in Washington. During the 1970s, inflation and rising property values caused property taxes to increase rapidly. For many older adults living on fixed incomes, these hikes created serious financial strain. Many older homeowners feared losing the houses they had worked decades to pay off. Rather than quietly accepting the situation, seniors organized. They showed up at public meetings, testified before lawmakers, wrote letters, and met directly with decision makers. Their message was clear: Aging in place should not be jeopardized by unpredictable tax burdens.

Their persistence led to expanded property tax exemptions and reductions through what became known as the Senior Citizens Services Act. During the administration of Gov. Dixy Lee Ray, these protections remained a critical part of the state’s commitment to older residents. Lawmakers in the Washington state legislature heard from their constituents how rising taxes affected everyday people. Ultimately, bipartisan support emerged around the idea that protecting seniors from displacement strengthened families and communities. The result was real financial relief and greater stability for thousands of households.

The lessons learned from this effort are highly relevant today. First, and often underestimated, is that personal stories move policy. Seniors did not rely only on statistics; they described choosing between paying property taxes and buying prescriptions. They explained the emotional toll of possibly losing their lifelong homes. Those real-life stories transformed an abstract budget issue into a human one.

Second, engagement at the local level matters. Many of the conversations that built momentum for policy change had their beginnings in community centers, faith groups, and neighborhood gatherings. The lesson here is that advocacy does not start in the state capitol, but rather often starts at a kitchen table or a conversation among friends.

Third, advocacy is strongest when it is collective. Individual letters helped, but organized groups amplified the message. Seniors coordinated their outreach, shared information about hearings, and supported one another in attending meetings. When lawmakers see not just one concerned resident but a room full of engaged constituents, the dynamic changes (and related to a previous point, stories are also amplified).

Fourth, persistence is essential. Policy changes required sustained effort. Follow-up calls, repeated testimony, and continued dialogue continued to happen even when progress seemed slow. Change was not immediate, but steady pressure ultimately produced results.

Finally, and perhaps a “hidden,” lesson is: Experience is an asset. The seniors who advocated for tax relief brought decades of life knowledge, credibility, and commitment to fairness. They understood budgets, community needs, and long-term consequences. They were not “too old” to make a difference and were uniquely equipped to lead—just because of who they were!

Now, for anyone who has never stepped into advocacy before, I hope that this quick glance at history offers some encouragement. You do not need a title or special training to influence policy. You simply need your voice, your story, and the willingness to engage, sometimes for longer than you might think. However, in the end, the effort and most notably, the result, is that much more satisfying.

In looking back at victories like the Senior Citizens Services Act, we see more than a policy achievement. We see a roadmap. We see neighbors standing together, and we see proof that when older adults organize, speak clearly, and persist, they shape the future of our communities for generations to come.

Joel Domingo is chair of the Advisory Council’s Advocacy Committee and dean of the Research Institute and director of research and a professor at City University of Seattle, where he leads the university’s overall scholarship and research objectives. His work focuses on leadership development and civic capacity building for creating social transformation in the public and community nonprofit spheres.