Emeritus Professor Margaret Baird forged a luminary career for her pioneering research investigating the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in cancer and infectious diseases, as an inspirational lecturer at the University of Otago and a role model to many. In this article celebrating the 100-year anniversary of ICB, we discuss Margaret’s career and life journey through the eyes of her family and co-authors, as we explore her many publications in ICB and beyond.