Helen Mary Laird PhD

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

, DL (14 April 1931 – 18 April 2020) was an electron-microscopist working laterally in the Veterinary Faculty Pathology Department at the University of Glasgow. She worked as part of a research team studying cancer, and particularly viruses in spontaneous feline leukaemia. She served on various committees of the Royal Microscopical Society. Laird was a pupil at

St Columba's School, Kilmacolm St Columba's School is a 3–18 co-educational private day school in Kilmacolm, Inverclyde, Scotland. It is split across two sites and is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. The school provides both primary and second ...

and continued to be involved in the school throughout her life, serving on the Board of Governors. Laird was heavily involved in the Girl Guide movement, holding a number of positions in Scotland, UK and internationally. 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 to this board from 1981-84. In recognition of her contribution to Guiding, she received many national and international Guiding and Scouting awards including the 180th Bronze Wolf,

Silver Fish The Silver Fish Award is the highest adult award in Girlguiding. It is awarded for outstanding service to Girlguiding combined with service to world Guiding. The award has changed greatly since it first appeared in 1911, initially being awarded ...

and Juliette Gordon Low medals. Laird was appointed OBE in 1985 for services to Girl Guiding. 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.

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Recipients of the Bronze Wolf Award 1931 births 2020 deaths People educated at St Columba's School, Kilmacolm Officers of the Order of the British Empire Scouting and Guiding in the United Kingdom Recipients of the Silver Fish Award {{UK-business-bio-1930s-stub