Although a Nebraska native, and a graduate of Hastings College, Betty Laird has spent most of her adult life in Kansas, where she attended the University, focusing on Russian language and history. She also taught Freshman English for three years and directed the Polish Program.

She and her husband, Prof. Roy D. Laird, worked together in the field of Soviet Studies, traveling widely and co-authoring a number of books and articles. In the 1970s, Betty shifted her interest to Kansas history, designing exhibits and maps for the Clinton Lake Museum, co-authoring the book Soil of Our Souls, and co-founding Parker-Laird Enterprises.

A professional actor since 1961 and a member of SAG, Betty has appeared in over forty movies and commercials and ten stage plays. As a playwright, she has had two historical plays produced by Theatre Lawrence and has had five staged readings.

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Issue 5, August 2012, The String of Hearts