At the time, it seemed unthinkable. Ronald Reagan had become president, pushing the philosophy that business deregulation is good and that government is not responsible for solving social and environmental problems. Political channels were blocked for people wanting a society based on values of social justice and environmental responsibility.

It was becoming clear that multinational corporations were on the rise and becoming increasingly strategic about evading national laws. Corporate actions were at the heart of a growing list of social and environmental ills—from climate change to sweatshops.

But a visionary group of individuals, led by Paul Freundlich, Denise Hamler, and a dedicated group of founding members, bravely put forth a revolutionary idea to Americans:

“Every time you spend or invest a dollar, it goes to work in the world. Too often, it goes to support institutions and corporations that perpetuate injustice, pollute the environment, and destroy communities. But we can change that. We can use economic power to push for socially and environmentally responsible business…and put our society on a more sustainable path.”

Our founders saw that at this time in human history, business and the economy dominate social and political decisions. If we want a more sustainable society, we need to put powerful economic strategies into play to stop corporate irresponsibility and create a green economy based on the values of justice and environmental responsibility. And that’s the mission we gave Co-op America.

Twenty years later, the impact of our revolutionary proposition—and the work you and I have done together—is truly phenomenal.

Twenty years ago, no one had heard of green business. But, together, we started a green economy movement that now represents over $230 billion in responsible products and $2.2 trillion in responsible investments.

Two decades ago, corporate boards were able to act secretly, advancing policies that harmed workers, devastated the environment, and perpetuated the most egregious forms of injustice. Today, the industry press—from Business Week to the Wall Street Journal—writes about how corporations are being forced to face demands for greater accountability. Shareholder resolutions on social and environmental issues are winning majority votes. None of this would have happened without the work we do together.

And today, corporations know that consumer and investor power is a force to be reckoned with. Together, we helped bring an end to apartheid in South Africa through investor pressure; and w got companies like Disney, Home Depot, Citigroup, and Procter & Gamble to improve their social and environmental practices.

Twenty years ago, the question, “Is ‘free’ trade good?” went unasked. Now, more and more Americans consider issues of sweatshop and child labor when they make purchases, and fair trade is talked about in classrooms, board rooms, and homes across the US.

Yet with all that we’ve accomplished, it is clear that we still have much to do. Our political system is failing people and the planet and threatening communities everywhere. And while there is important political change work to be done today, we cannot put aside our work to transform the economy for one minute. No administration has championed the bold strategies and changes in values necessary to truly address the social and environmental crises facing our nation and our world. No president, and no Congress, has boldly addressed corporate reform,, fair trade, renewable energy, or sweatshop labor. This is not likely to change with the next election.,

Indeed, leadership for a better world will come from people like you and me. Together, we must act boldly, creatively, and with a tremendous amount of cooperation and love.

As you read this issue, you’ll see the enormous impact our work together is having in the world. Check out your timeline (p.7) for highlights of our accomplishments together over the past 20 years. Then read our feature, 20 Ways to Use Your Money for a Better World, for the most strategic economic actions you can take to shift society to sustainability.

As Co-op America moves into the next 20 years, we promise to keep up our powerful economic action programs—and accelerate our work to build the green economy—from renewable energy to fair trade to community investing to growing the green business sector represented in the National Green Pages ™.

Together, we’ll expand our work to involve more people and business in creating a more just and sustainable economy. We’ll organize even more rapidly by building our powerful high-tech programs to reach more people via the Internet, get them to take online action, and then move them to act at home and in their communities to promote green and fair economic strategies.

Together, we are a powerful force for a better future. And together, we are hastening the day when all people can look forward to life in a world at peace, in communities that are safe, just, and sustainable.

Here’s to our work together,

Alisa Gravitz, Executive Director

From the Co-op America Quarterly, No. 61, Fall 2003

CO-OP AMERICA YEAR-END REPORT 2003

20 Years of Working Together for People and the Planet

You have made something extraordinary happen this year. In this incredibly challenging time, you have helped speed the shift to a more just and sustainable society.

Together, we brought relief to coffee farmers in crisis by pressuring Procter and Gamble—the largest player in the U.S. coffee market—to convert 5% of their Millstone line to Fair Trade Certified ™.

Through our 1% in Community Campaign, we put more than $250 million into underserved communities.

Together, we made corporations more accountable by getting the Securities and Exchange Commission to side with us in an effort to force mutual fund companies to disclose how they vote on social and environmental issues. Now mutual fund directors must reveal how they are voting their proxies, and investors will be able to see if the votes are being cast in their best interest and the interest of people and the planet.

Our Shareholder Action Program helped garner record numbers of votes to pressure ExxonMobil to address climate change. And our members helped install the first wind turbine—and bring new jobs—to the Rosebud Sioux Wind Project.

Together we mobilized hundreds of thousands more people to work for a green economy through our Green Festivals.

In short: our work together in 2003 helped speed the shift to a sustainable future—one where all people have enough, where all communities are safe and secure, and where the bounty of the Earth is preserved for generations to come.

Twenty years ago, when Co-op America was born, we never imagined that we could have achieved so much together. This year, and every year, our transformative work for the future of people and the planet is truly phenomenal. And while we have so much to celebrate, there is still so much work to do.

The sad state of the world leaves no doubt that our political system is failing people and the planet and threatening communities everywhere. And while there is important political work to be done this year, we cannot put aside our work together to transform the economy for one minute. No administration has ever proposed the bold, visionary policies that are required to shift society for sustainability. No president and no Congress has addressed issues of corporate reform, fair trade, renewable energy, or sweatshop labor. This is not likely to change regardless of the outcome of the next election.

Indeed, the real power for change is the economic power that belongs to each one of us.