Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour (1939 – 2019)

Margaret-Ann Armour was a tireless advocate for diversity in science and engineering. Born in Scotland and educated at the University of Edinburgh (BSc, MSc) and the University of Alberta (PhD), Dr. Armour joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Alberta in 1979. Her research and teaching focused on the management and disposal of hazardous chemicals. As Associate Dean (Diversity) she worked to increase the number of women in faculty positions.

Margaret-Ann delighted in sharing her love of science with youth and was a leader in raising awareness among school-aged girls, educators, parents, and employers of the importance of encouraging women to take up careers in science and engineering. She co-founded WISEST - Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology and chaired the Board of the Canadian Centre for Women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology.

Dr. Armour received national and international recognition for her work, including the 3M Teaching Fellowship, a Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case and the Montreal Medal from the Chemical Institute of Canada. Selected twice as one of the top 100 most powerful women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network, she was also inducted to the Order of Canada in 2006 and received honourary degrees from several Canadian universities as well as the University of Edinburgh.

“My passion has been that everyone, women and men, have – in the words of my friend and mentor, the late Ursula Franklin – the inalienable right to fulfill our potential.”