been introduced by her friend Terry Nesslinger. Stewart played a major role in the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH): she served variously on the Committee on Environmental Quality (1974–1979), the Board of Governors (1975–1980), as president (elected 1996), and finally as official Historian of the society. She also served as president for the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR), elected in 1979. Stewart retired in 1997, but continued to develop the program in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy at the University at Albany. In 2003, Stewart donated an endowment to Albany, from which the Margaret M. Stewart Graduate Scholarship in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy was established. During her career, Stewart faced numerous hurdles from sexism. In the 1950s, it was still rare for women to hold a PhD. When applying for her position at Albany, she also applied elsewhere, but found that other institutions either said 'we don't hire women', or paid women 20% less than they paid men. Stewart died of pancreatic cancer on 2 August 2006. Honours and awards In 1977, Stewart was awarded the title of "Distinguished Teaching Professor" at the University at Albany. In 1987, Stewart was given the Citizen Laureate award of the University at Albany. In 1996, Stewart was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Mayaguez for her work on Eleutherodactylus coqui. In 1997, Stewart was awarded the Oak Leaf Award of The Nature Conservancy, in recognition of her contributions to the Eastern New York Chapter. In June 2004, Stewart was named a citizen member of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission after twelve years in its service. In 2005, Stewart was awarded the Robert K. Johnson Award and Henry S. Fitch Award of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, recognising her contributions both to the society and to the excellence of her herpetological research. In June 2006, Stewart was elected an alumna member of the Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at UNC-Greensboro. The puddle frog Phrynobatrachus stewartae was named in honour of Stewart, as is an interpretive trail in the Albany Pine Bush and a visitor centre at Sam's Point Preserve. In 2019, the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists created the Margaret M. Stewart Achievement Award for Excellence in Ichthyology or Herpetology, in honour of Stewart and her contributions both to the society and to the field of herpetology. References 1927 births 2006 deaths