The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) presented four Herb Wegner Memorial Awards at its annual dinner Monday night at the Marriott Marquis in conjunction with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C. Denise Gabel, Chief Operating Officer of the Northwest Credit Union Association, served as the night’s emcee.
The awards ceremony celebrates the highest national honors in the credit union movement:
Click here to read more about the 2016 award winners.
Click here to watch the 2016 winners’ tribute videos on YouTube
“I am honored to accept the Wegner award on behalf of the dedicated individuals who developed the program, and the credit unions, our community partners and the educators who last year helped us deliver this program in over 30 states,” said Stephanie Smith, Executive Director of the America’s Credit Union Museum, after accepting the award. “However the ultimate winners are the 50,000 students who last year received practical hand-on learning on the benefits of budgeting, savings, and making wise financial decisions.”
“The credit union philosophy of people helping people and the commitment to cooperation are as vital today as they were at the founding of credit unions in this country over 100 years ago,” said Egan after accepting his award. “We need to reinforce our philosophical values by recommitting to the ideals that made credit unions unique and empowering forces in the financial well-being of individuals and communities throughout this country and the world.”
“I’ve never been so proud to be a part of the credit union system than I am today,” said Peppers after accepting his award. “Over the past 40 years and 5 decades, I’ve had a chance to see credit unions grow and grow up. Today, over 100 million members are now being served by credit unions and I can’t wait for the day when every American will be a credit union member.”
“I am proud to be part of a movement made up of so many who quietly, yet relentlessly accept the call to bring economic justice to underserved people and places,” said Bynum after accepting his award. “And I am honored to be here on behalf of Ms. Fannie Dotson, who on her 100th birthday opened her first checking account ever at our branch in Itta Bena, Mississippi. However, the fact that it took an entire century for a black woman from the Mississippi Delta to open a bank account is a sobering reminder of how far we still have to go in this nation on issues of equity. Across America, for hundreds of places like Itta Bena, and millions of people like Ms. Dotson, credit unions are their best hope for economic opportunity.”
This year’s winners joined an elite group of 58 individuals and 25 organizations whose efforts over the past 28 years have earned them the recognition of Herb Wegner Memorial Awards. Over 850 credit union leaders and supporters attended the event held in conjunction with CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC).
*Note to editors – here are captions and links for Wegner Awards pictures:
