Marilyn Laurie, a past president of Arthur W. Page Society and the first woman inducted to its Hall of Fame, died July 14 after a year-long battle with brain cancer.

In commenting on the news, Bill Margaritis, Chairman of the Page Society, said: "Marilyn is a legend in our field – a very smart, engaging and compassionate person who made an incredible difference to the Page Society and the profession. She was driven to always do the right thing and stood by her convictions and principles. Those of us who worked closely with her will never forget her infectious personality, charisma and kind-hearted spirit. She was one of a kind."

In addition to serving as president of the Page Society, Marilyn chaired the Public Relations Seminar and also spearheaded the Society's Honors Committee that recognizes trailblazers whose service has strengthened the communications and public relations profession.

Marilyn herself was a trailblazer. One of the founders of Earth Day, she was recruited by AT&T in 1971 to create its first environmental policy. She rose through the company ranks to become executive vice president of public relations and brand management and was the first woman to join AT&T's 10-person Executive Committee.

In addition to leading all of AT&T's brand-building, advertising and corporate reputation activities globally, she also chaired the AT&T Foundation, overseeing $40 million a year in grants to educational, social service and arts institutions. After retiring from AT&T in 1997, she founded Laurie Consulting, Inc., which offered branding and public relations consulting to corporations and non-profit organizations.

Marilyn was a native New Yorker and was active in the civic and cultural life of the city. A graduate of Barnard College with an MBA from Pace University, she served as vice-chair of Columbia University and was a trustee of New York-Presbyterian Hospital and a director of The New York City Ballet and New Visions for New York's Public Schools. She also served on the executive committee of the New York City Partnership.

Marilyn was the recipient of numerous awards. Among her honors: The Women in Communications Matrix Award; the Women in International Industry Award; the Human Relations Award of the American Jewish Committee, and the Women's Equity Action League Award. She was named to the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers and was among the first named to the National Honor Roll of Women in Public Relations. In 2002, she was the first woman to receive the Arthur W. Page Society's Hall of Fame Award.

Other recognition included: "New York's 75 Most Influential Women" (Crain's); Woman of Achievement (Barnard College); "Power 50" (Ad Age); "Star" (New York Women's Agenda); Community Impact Award (Columbia University) and the Hamilton Medal (Institute for PR). She was twice named "PR All Star" by Inside PR magazine.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Robert Laurie and two daughters, Amy Laurie and Lisa Potts and three grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for September.

Dick Martin, Adele Ambrose, Roger Bolton and other friends and former colleagues of Marilyn have contributed personal remembrances to the Page Society blog. To read these click here.