Dave and Erma Angevine

Inducted 2000

Dave and Erma Angevine have devoted themselves to helping people through cooperatives and consumer organizations.Their career paths first crossed at the Consumers Co-op Association, now Farmland Industries, and continued at the Cooperative League of the USA. For more than 50 years they have led and taught by doing, inspiring many along the way.

In 1962 Erma joined the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, where she headed a program to cultivate women as strong new leaders and encouraged them to take an active role in their communities. She was the first executive director of the Consumer Federation of America, and later became president of the National Consumers League. With both organizations she pioneered partnerships between national co-op and consumer organizations that are still enjoyed today.

Dave served as administrator of the Farmers Cooperative Service, where he focused on co-op development in regions with low standards of living and even abject poverty. This was controversial at the time, but placed USDA's cooperative service squarely in the development business for years to come. He also served as the first executive director of the Volunteer Development Corps, now ACDI/VOCA, growing it into a vibrant worldwide program.

The Angevines have practiced the co-op way throughout their lives. Their work will be beneficial to people everywhere for decades to come.