Martha Cohen

Martha Cohen

Martha Ruth Cohen, CM, LLD (née Block; 1920 – February 26, 2015) was a Canadian community activist and philanthropist.^[1]

A member of the Order of Canada, she and her late husband Harry (1912–1990) raised four children, while spearheading a variety of major civic projects. Born in Calgary, Alberta, her parents were Rebecca and Peter Block.^[2]

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, University of Alberta (1940)
• Master Diploma of Social Work, University of Toronto (1945)^[3]

Achievements

• Chairwoman of the Board for the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts during the planning, financing and constructing of this major facility. Martha and her associates raised some $15 million of private funding toward the creation of the Centre.
• Chairwoman of the Mount Royal College Board of Governors during the period of planning, financing, and constructing a new campus. As such, she became the first woman to head a higher educational institution in Alberta.
• Chairwoman of William Roper Hull Home for Boys and Girls.
• Chairwoman of the Providence Creche.^[4]
• Founder/Past Executive Director of the Calgary Jewish Family Service.^[5]
• Vice-Chairwoman of Old Sun Community College at Gleichen, Alberta.
• President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada^[6]
• Councillor, Alberta Order of Excellence (1980-1985) ^[7]

Philanthropy

Harry and Martha Cohen Foundation

The Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation is a private family foundation which provides grants primarily to Calgary-based charities. In her role as executive director of the Foundation, Cheryl Cohen oversees all applications and grant decisions.^[8]

Harry and Martha Cohen Award

In 1985, Harry and Martha's four children (Philip, Cheryl, Faye, and David) established an annual award for individuals making outstanding contributions to the Arts.^[9]

Martha Cohen Theatre

In 1983, Martha Cohen's late husband, Harry, a successful Calgary businessman, donated $1 million to have a theatre named at the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts in honor of Martha Cohen's birthday.^[10]

Dr. Martha Cohen School

On May 4, 2015, the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) announced that it would name a new Middle School (located in New Brighton/Copperfield) after Martha Cohen. Describing her as one of the city’s foremost humanitarians and philanthropists, the CBE expects the new school to open by January, 2017.^[11] The Dr. Martha Cohen School is anticipated to provide educational programming for approximately 900 students (Grades 5-9) and will be located at 1750 New Brighton Drive S.E.^[12]

Awards

• Prime Minister Medal, State of Israel Bonds (1970)
• Order of Canada (1975) ^[13]
• Alberta Achievement Award (1975)
• Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
• Sesquicentennial Year Plaque, University of Toronto (1977)
• Calgary Citizen of the Year (1979)
• Honorary doctorate, University of Calgary (1982)^[14]
• Boy Scouts of Canada Medal (1984)
• Variety Club International Lifeliner Medal (1984)
• City of Calgary, Centennial Award of Merit (1985)
• Scopus Award, Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1994) ^[15]
• Distinguished Citizen Award, Mount Royal College (1995)
• Honorary Bachelor of Applied Communications, Mount Royal College (1995)
• Angel Award, International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), New York (1995) ^[16]
• Great Minds Banner, 175th Anniversary, University of Toronto (2002)^[17]
• Alberta Centennial Medal (2005)^[18]
• Distinguished Alumni Award, Calgary Board of Education (2006) ^[19]
• Best of Alberta Award, Calgary Herald (2008)
• Global News Woman of Vision (2009)
• Western Legacy Award, 100 Outstanding Albertans, Calgary Stampede (2012)^[20]

References

Sources

• Canadian Who's Who, 2003. 
• "The Best of Alberta, Calgary Herald, 2008". 
• "Global Woman of Vision, Global News, 2009". 
• "Martha Cohen Interview, Global Television, 2010". 
• "Calgary Philanthropist Dies, CBC News, 2015". 
• "Calgary Philanthropic Legend Martha Cohen Dies,Calgary Herald, 2015".