By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FLORENCE - Hannah Hume Baird, champion of women, political activist and community leader, died Wednesday of esophageal cancer at her home. She was 64.

Mrs. Baird graduated from Sullins Junior College for Women in Virginia and the University of Kentucky. She married a fellow UK student Glenn F. Baird in 1958. She later taught in the Jefferson County school system.

After moving to Florence in 1964, Mrs. Baird became involved with philanthropy.

Mrs. Baird was instrumental in developing the Dinsmore Homestead Foundation, which is a preserved 1842 Boone County pioneer farm.

She was a founding member and chairwoman of the nonpartisan Kentucky Women's Political Caucus.

She served as a member of the National Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity in the Carter administration.

In 1978, she was an Enquirer Woman of the Year.

In March, the Kentucky Commission on Women added her portrait to the display at the state Capitol.

Survivors include her husband; son Glenn W., of Charlotte, N.C., and daughter Hannah E., also of Charlotte.

Visitation is 5-8 p.m. today at Stith Funeral Home, 7500 U.S. 42, Florence. There will be no funeral service.

Memorials: The C.W. Hume Scholarship Fund, Somerset Community College, Attn: Ann Zwick, 808 Monticello St., Somerset, KY 42501; The Dinsmore Homestead, P.O. Box 453, Burlington, KY 41005; or The Hannah Hume Baird Fund for the Advancement of Women and Children, Northern Kentucky Women's Crisis Center, 835 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com