May Baird

Lady Matilda Deans Baird CBE (née Tennant, 14 May 1901− 16 August 1983) was a Scottish doctor and social pioneer. She was a town councillor in Aberdeen and was the first woman to hold the position of chairman of a regional hospital board.

Early life

She was born in Larkhall on 14 May 1901.[1] She was educated at the Glasgow High School for Girls. She studied at the University of Glasgow, graduating with a BSc in 1922 and a MB ChB in 1924.[2] She worked as a junior doctor in Glasgow hospitals before marrying Dugald Baird, the gynaecologist and obstetrician.[2] She and her husband moved to Aberdeen in 1936.

Career

Her desire to reduce the hardships experienced by the poor and neglected led her being drawn into public life.[3] She was elected as town councillor in Aberdeen for the Labour Party In 1937. She became chairman of its Public Health Committee.

In 1947, she was appointed as the first Chair of the North Eastern Regional Hospital Board, with which she served until 1960.[4]

She was also a National Governor of the BBC for 4 years, from 1966−1971.[5]

Awards and honours

In 1960, she received an honorary LLD from the University of Aberdeen.[3] She received Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours 1962.[6] In 1966, May and her husband Dugald were awarded, as a couple, the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen. An Aberdeen street was named in May Baird’s honour. She is commemorated by a plaque at 38 Albyn Place.[7]

Family

She had four children, two became medical doctors.[1]

Lady May Baird died on 16 August 1983.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Obituaries: Lady May Baird". BMJ 287 (6396): 918–919. 24 September 1983. doi:10.1136/bmj.287.6396.918. PMC 1549257.
  2. 1 2 "University of Glasgow Story: People: Lady May Baird". University of Glasgow. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  3. 1 2 "The Honorary Graduands". Glasgow Herald. 9 July 1960. p. 13. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Heritage: People : Lady May Baird (1901-1983)". Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  5. ↑ "Full List of Boards of Governors of the BBC" (PDF). BBC. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  6. ↑ "Supplement 42683". The London Gazette. 2 June 1962. p. 4316.
  7. ↑ "Commemorative Plaques Record Details: Lady May Baird (1901 - 1983)". Aberdeen City Council. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
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