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 September, 2016.^[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

1. "Archives Society of Alberta".
2. Sanderson, Kay (1999). 200 Remarkable Alberta Women. Calgary: Famous Five Foundation. p. 92.
3. "University of Toronto, Faculty of Social Work".
4. "Providence".
5. "Calgary Jewish Family Service Bureau".
6. "National Council of Jewish Women (Calgary Section)".
7. "Council for the Alberta Order of Excellence".
8. "Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation". Retrieved February 27, 2015.
9. "Harry & Martha Cohen Award". Retrieved February 27, 2015.
10. "Martha Cohen Theatre". Retrieved February 27, 2015.
11. "New CBE School will be Named after Community Builder Martha Cohen".
12. "Dr. Martha Cohen School".
13. "Governor General of Canada - Archives".
14. "University of Calgary Honorary Doctorate".
15. "Scopus Award".
16. "Angel Award, ISPA".
17. "Great Minds for a Great Future, University of Toronto".
18. "Alberta Centennial Medal, Province of Alberta" (PDF).
19. "Distinguished Alumni Award, Calgary Board of Education".
20. "Calgary Stampede Western Legacy Award" (PDF).

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".