Personal Story

A short story: there was a women, recently divorced after 17 years with the same man. She now was the only provider of two children whom were entering Elementary school in the 1960’s. She now has the sole responsibility of the house payment, insurance for house and car, food and clothes for her girls. As a women she was not earning as much as a man, she was always running behind payments on something. She was telling her girls, “no we cannot afford you to have this or  you cannot go there”.

Her girls became “latch key” girls and with the help of loving neighbors, she felt at least her girls were safe after school until she got home. This women got a job with the County in the town she lived in. The County had a credit union. When this single mom needed money to just get through a rough spot, she went to a bank who just laughed at her application for a loan, making her feel like she was worth nothing. She then was advised by a close friend to try the credit union.

She went right over, and that Credit Union not only gave her a loan, but made her feel like she was part of a big family. They explained that they were there just to help her. People helping People. As the years went on, she fell in love with the credit union. She went on to become a Board of Director, served as Chair person twice and ended up serving 32 years on this Board. She re-married, her girls grew up to become credit union members and one currently serves on a Board of Directors and will be Chair person next year. This is why I believe in the movement and I believe in women. I am one of those daughters in the story, I know personally what a credit union can do, and I’m so very proud to serve others.

Roxy Ostrem
Ventura County Credit Union