During her active career, Helen McKercher gained national recognition for her contribution to the development of high ideals and worthy standards for successful home and family living.

As director, Home Economics Branch, Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food, and previously as chief, Consumer Education, Canada Department of Fisheries, she established nutrition, home management and leadership training courses, which had a profound influence on the lives of the thousands of women and 4-H girls who participated.

Nor were her activities restricted to this country, as evidenced by the fact that she took an active interest in the affairs of the Associated Countrywomen of the World.

As a result of this experience, she played a leading role in encouraging the Women’s Institute to set up a $50,000 scholarship, the interest from which is being used to train women from developing countries in the hope and expectation that they will return and become leaders in their native villages.

In recognition of her many contributions to the cause of better family living, she was made honourary president, Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario; a life member of the Associated Countrywomen of the World; and an Alumnus of Honour, University of Guelph.