Dora Maxwell was an early credit union

Credit union

A credit union is a cooperative financial institution that is owned and controlled by its members and operated for the purpose of promoting thrift, providing credit at competitive rates, and providing other financial services to its members...

 pioneer in New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

 state. Despite having to deal with intimidating bankers, she secured charters for hundreds of credit unions throughout the United States. She was a delegate to the 1934 Estes Park conference which established the Credit Union National Association

Credit Union National Association

The Credit Union National Association, commonly known as CUNA , is a national trade association for both state- and federally-chartered credit unions located in the United States. CUNA provides member credit unions with trade association services, such as lobbying, professional development, and...

 (CUNA) and worked as an organizer for the Credit Union National Extension Bureau

Credit Union National Extension Bureau

The Credit Union National Extension Bureau was the organization that advocated for and fostered credit unions in the United States from 1921 until 1934. CUNEB laid the foundation for the Credit Union National Association and the Federal Credit Union Act...

, the movement's trade organization.

She is the namesake of the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award of CUNA, an award that recognizes credit unions for social responsibility projects within their communities.