Helen M. Laird
Helen Laird PhD, OBE, DL | |
|---|---|
| President of the World Committee of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts | |
| In office 1981–1984 | |
| Preceded by | Joyce Price |
| Succeeded by | Doris Stockmann |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 April 1931[1] Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 18 April 2020 (aged 89) |
Helen Mary Laird PhD, OBE, DL (14 April 1931 – 18 April 2020) was an electron-microscopist[2] working laterally in the Veterinary Faculty Pathology department at the University of Glasgow.[3]
Early life and education
Laird was a pupil at St Columba's School, Kilmacolm[4] and continued to be involved in the school throughout her life, serving on the board of governors until 1996.[5][6]
Career
Laird worked as part of a research team studying cancer, and particularly viruses in spontaneous feline leukaemia.[7] She served on various committees of the Royal Microscopical Society.
Girl Guiding
Laird was heavily involved in the Girl Guide movement, holding a number of positions in Scotland, UK and internationally.[8] In 1960 she spent a six-month career break in Ghana training adult leaders on behalf of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). In 1975 she was elected to the board of WAGGGS and served as chairperson from 1981-84.[9] IN the 1980s she was chair of the Olave House fundraising committee.[10]
In recognition of her contribution to Guiding, she received many national and international Guiding and Scouting awards including the 180th Bronze Wolf, Silver Fish (1980)[11] and Juliette Gordon Low medals. Laird was appointed OBE in 1985 for services to Girl Guiding.[12]
Other
In the 1970s she was chair of the International Committee Youth Exchange.[13] She was a member of Scottish Council For Community Education in 1979.[14] In 1987, she was commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant of the Lieutenancy of Renfrewshire, becoming one of the very few women so appointed at that time in Scotland. In the 1990s Laird was a member of the Board of World Mission, as part of the Church of Scotland.[15]
References
- ^ UK, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960
- ^ "Listings". The Scotsman. Edinburgh, UK. 7 April 1990. p. 49.
- ^ "International speaker addresses county Guides". Dumfries and Galloway Standard. Dumfries, UK. 9 May 1986. p. 4.
- ^ "Independent schools M-W". cotsman.com. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ The Girls' School yearbook. 1976 :. London, UK: A & C Black. 1976. p. 201. ISBN 9780713616279.
- ^ Independent schools yearbook : 1995/96 boys' schools, girls' schools, co-educational schools & preparatory schools. London, UK: A&C Black. 1995. p. xxiii. ISBN 9780713642797.
- ^ "Slimming saga". Hull Daily Mail. Hull, UK. 14 May 1976. p. 15.
- ^ "In memoriam". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK. 13 July 2004. p. 22.
- ^ "Guiding light burns bright". Chronicle. Crewe, UK. 20 May 1982. p. 16.
- ^ "Guides thank you". Edinburgh Evening News. Edinburgh, UK. 19 September 1987. p. 11.
- ^ Eileen Manson (April 1980). "Dr Helen Laird Silver Fish". The Guider (Vol. 67 No. 4 ed.). London, UK: Girl Guides Association. p. 6.
- ^ "Girl Guides". Bedfordshire Times and Independent. Bedford, UK. 30 April 1992. p. 20.
- ^ "Soviet agents visit region!". Wishaw Press. Wishaw, UK. 28 January 1977. p. 13.
- ^ "Scottish Council For Communityeducation". hansard.parliament.uk. 17 January 1979. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ McGillivray, A Gordon (1997). Church of Scotland year book, 1996/1997. Edinburgh, Scotland: Saint Andrew Press. p. 31. ISBN 9780861532278.