Honoring a Credit Union Unsung Hero

Honoring Marvel Ebenhahn: A Legacy of Service and Leadership.

During the Labor of Love Day in August, the Dakota Credit Union Association proudly made a donation on behalf of Marvel Ebenhahn to the American Credit Union Museum’s exhibit, Woven in History: A Tapestry of Unsung Heroes. Marvel’s extraordinary contributions to her community and the credit union movement have inspired generations, and it’s fitting that her story is preserved for all to see.

Marvel Ebenhahn never sought accolades, awards, or monuments. She simply wanted to serve her members and her community. Yet through her dedication, she not only sustained a rural North Dakota farming town but also redefined leadership at a time when women weren’t leading any organizations.

Her journey began in New Rockford, North Dakota, where her father helped found Eddy County Federal Credit Union in 1942. Surrounded by the cooperative spirit from a young age, Marvel became the credit union’s first full-time employee at just 18, setting aside plans for business school. Over 64 years, she transformed the small institution into Community Credit Union, growing membership from 250 to nearly 6,000 and assets from $18,000 to $165 million.

In 2013, Marvel was inducted into the Dakota Credit Union Association Hall of Fame, yet her legacy is reflected in the generations of families she supported and the communities she strengthened. The American Credit Union Museum now ensures her story, and the story of countless unsung heroes like her, continues to inspire.

Through this donation, we honor Marvel Ebenhahn’s vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to service, truly an institutional marvel.

You can read the full entry along with others here. 

America’s Credit Union Museum
Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, on the site where America's first credit union opened its doors in 1908, America’s Credit Union Museum is a vibrant and evolving institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the credit union movement. More than a repository of artifacts, the Museum documents the past, showcases present-day achievements, and inspires the future of credit unions.

The Museum features dynamic exhibits such as “Credit Union Women Making History – Herstory,” launched during its 20th Anniversary celebration in 2022. This interactive exhibit honors the contributions of women in the credit union industry—past, present, and future—both onsite and through an engaging online platform. Additionally, the museum recently added “African American Voices in the Credit Union Movement” a multi-media exhibit, created in partnership with the African American Credit Union Coalition, highlights the rich legacy and impact of African American leaders in the credit union movement.
 
Through these and other initiatives, America’s Credit Union Museum continues to serve as a national hub for education, inspiration, and innovation in the credit union community. Learn more at www.acumuseum.org.

---