The Washington State Senate has adopted a resolution celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Northwest Center, which was founded on March 1, 1965, by four mothers—Janet Taggart, Cecile Lindquist, Evelyn Chapman, and Katie Dolan—to provide education and services for children with disabilities. This initiative marked a significant turning point in the fight for disability rights, as these mothers played a crucial role in advocating for legislation that would ensure public education for all children, regardless of their disabilities. Their efforts led to Washington becoming the first state to implement special education laws, culminating in the passage of the "Education for All" bill in 1971 and the national Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1975.

The resolution recognizes the Northwest Center as a pioneer in promoting inclusion, acceptance, employment, advocacy, and anti-ableism for individuals with disabilities over the past six decades. It highlights the organization's foundational role in transforming educational opportunities and societal perceptions of disability, celebrating the legacy of the mothers who initiated this movement and the ongoing impact of their work in Washington and beyond.