Cooperative Hall of Fame "America's Legacy of Cooperation"

Founded in 1974, the Cooperative Hall of Fame honors those distinguished individuals whose contributions to cooperative business have been genuinely heroic. Inductees are limited to a prestigious group carefully selected to preserve the nature of this special recognition. It is a distinct honor to be inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame.

Members of the Cooperative Hall of Fame are recognized with commemorative plaques that describe the contributions made by each inductee. In addition, there is a website — www.heroes.coop — that highlights each inductee and their many contributions to cooperatives.

Originally launched by U.S. Co-ops, the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) now administers the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Nominations are received annually and reviewed by a screening and a selection committee, each composed of current leaders from the various sectors of the U.S. cooperative movement.

The Cooperative Hall of Fame induction ceremony is also a major fundraising event for CDF. It is fitting that the occasion to bestow the highest honor of the cooperative community on those individuals who have selflessly given of their lives to promote cooperatives, is also a vehicle to raise funds to perpetuate their work and life-long commitment.

Meet the Inductees

Margaret Bau

Fannie Lou Hamer

Crystal
Long

Kevin
Still

Michael
Toelle

Cooperative Hall of Fame Members

The members of the Cooperative Hall of Fame congratulate Margaret Bau, Fannie Lou Hamer, Crystal Long, Kevin Still, and Michael Toelle. From expanding cooperative development and building the next generation of co-op leaders, to advancing economic justice through collective ownership, to championing financial well-being and opportunity through credit unions, to strengthening farmer-owned enterprises and rural communities, you have demonstrated the extraordinary power of cooperation to transform lives. Through your vision, leadership, and commitment to cooperative values, you have strengthened communities and inspired generations of cooperators. Welcome to the Hall of Fame!

Anne Reynolds

Andrew Reicher

Anne Reynolds

Christina Clamp

Cliff Rosenthal

David Thompson

Jean Jantzen

Jessica Gordon-Nembhard

John and Carol Zippert

Johnnie Johnson

Judy Ziewacz

Karen Zimbelman

Larry Blanchard

Leland Ruth

Leslie Mead

Lori Capouch

Marilyn Scholl

Martin Lowery

Paul Hazen

Pete Crear

Rebecca Dunn

Richard Larochelle

Rosemary Mahoney

Steven Dawson

Terry Appleby

William J. Nelson

U.S. Co-ops & CDF Board of Directors

The Board Directors of U.S. Co-ops and the Cooperative Development Foundation applaud the outstanding accomplishments of the 2026 inductees to the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Thank you for your service to cooperatives.

Adria Powell

Alex Stone

Ann Fedorchak

Brian Cavey

Christina Jennings

Devin Fuhrman

Emma McCormick

Jeffrey Connor

Jill Tomalin

John Holdsclaw IV

holly jo Sparks

Larry Blanchard

Leslie Hagele

Megan Balogh

Michelle L. Schry

Tracy McIntyre

Vanessa Bransburg

U.S. Co-ops

U.S. Co-ops members and staff congratulate Margaret Bau, Fannie Lou Hamer, Crystal Long, Kevin Still, and Michael Toelle on their induction into the 2026 Cooperative Hall of Fame. We applaud each of you for your dedication to the cooperative movement.