Muriel Parris

The St. Stephen’s Credit Union was where it all began for her.

Muriel was a soft spoken woman who commanded your attention even when she was sitting quietly; you knew that she always had something to say even as she was listening. Armed with a broad and warm smile, she often exuded confidence and influence in any gathering.

She was passionate about the rights of women in this country, and this led her to become one of the early members of the National Organization of Women when it was started in the early 1970’s.

However, it was in the local credit union movement that she has left her greatest mark.

During her 59 years of service to St. Stephen’s Credit Union, she served as Secretary, Treasurer and President. She also held the distinction of being the first and only female President of the Barbados Co-operative & Credit Union League Limited from 1983 to 1986 and was credited with being at the helm when the local movement expanded rapidly in the mid 1980’s. She was instrumental and heavily involved in setting up the first full-time secretariat of the Barbados Credit Union League.

It was under her watch that the Central Fund Facility was established as well as the Mutual Benefits Plan which eventually financed the Co-operators General Insurance Company that exists today.

The formation of City of Bridgetown Credit Union was another one of her projects whilst being president of the League.

In November of 1990, she was among those highlighted in that year’s Independence honours, receiving the Barbados Service Medal and it was for her contribution to the Co-operative Movement.

There’s a quote that says,

Many can attest to the fact that Muriel embodied this quote. She was a leader among women and men and took on that role in an era when women in this country had to fight hard not to be seen as subservient to men.