Margaret McMillan was born in Gramercy, Louisiana in 1920 to John H. McMillan, Jr. and Annie Laurie Field McMillan. McMillan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Psychology at the Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1940 and a Master’s degree in the same field from the University of Texas. During her time as a student at SLI, McMillan was a founding member of the Red Jackets and was involved with the cheerleading squad. McMillan continued her involvement with SLI after graduation, serving as an advisor from 1941 to 1959. In 1972, she became the Coordinator of the USL Women’s Physical Education Department, serving in that position until 1976.

After retiring from SLI, McMillan entered into the world of offshore safety and founded McMillan Offshore Survival Technology (MOST). She became an internationally recognized expert in the field of sea survival technology and may be credited with training thousands of offshore oil workers, government employees, boat operators, and air medics in water survival techniques. McMillan served as a consultant in offshore safety and survival for branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the British Royal Navy, and the Russian government. She was a founding member of the International Association for Sea Survival Training and was the first woman inducted into the Offshore Energy Center Hall of Fame. McMillan was also awarded the U.S. Coast Guard’s Distinguished Leadership and Service Award, the Gulf Coast Safety & Training Groups highest award, and the US Marine First Safety Award. Beyond her work with MOST, McMillan enjoyed traveling the world, both on her own and with family members. Margaret McMillan passed away August 31, 2016 in Lafayette, LA.