Mary Auld was brought up in Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, and moved to Glasgow during World War I. Her first husband was killed in action, leaving her to care for three young step children. In 1922 she married Jimmy Auld, and both became active members of the Cathcart Labour Party. For twelve years Mary was Chairman of Glasgow Women's Advisory Council and served on the Executive of the Scottish Council of the Labour Party from 1932-1941, being Chairman in 1937. She encouraged women to take an active role in the Labour Party and organised systematic canvassing, welfare and educational work. In this voluntary capacity she worked closely with Mary Sutherland, Women's Officer of the Scottish Labour Party during the 1920s and with her successor, Agnes Lauder when Mary Sutherland moved to London as Chief Woman Officer of the Labour Party, a post which she held from 1932-1960. In mid 1940 Mary Auld was appointed Woman Organiser for Scotland after the death of Mrs Lauder, and filled this post with distinction until her retirement in 1958.
From the guide to the Papers of Mary Auld, 1936-1960, (Strathclyde University Archives)
