Elizabeth "Sis" Hamilton is stepping down from 70 years of service to the credit union industry, marking the end of her tenure as the longest-serving credit union volunteer in U.S. history, according to the North Carolina Credit Union League.
Hamilton was manager and then CEO of Summit Credit Union for 55 years until she retired in 2003, the NCCUL said, and has managed as many as five other credit unions while running that Greensboro institution, the league said.
Hamilton began her volunteer career with credit unions in 1943 when she became board secretary for Tri-City Telco Credit Union, now the $139 million, 24,000-member Summit CU.
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Her career also extended beyond the Tarheel State, including 12 years on the NASCUS Council Board and 21 years on CUNA's board.
Back home, she spent 25 years on the NCCUL board as its first female member. Accolades include the Order of Longleaf Pine in 2003 and the 2007 Larry Johnson Order of Merit Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest award presented to North Carolina credit union leaders. Last year, she was named North Carolina Credit Union Volunteer of the Year.
"There is no doubt Sis is leaving behind a great legacy and large shoes to fill. Her presence on the Board of Directors and in the credit union industry will be missed," the league said in its announcement this week that Hamilton had decided not to seek re-election to the Summit CU board.
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