Martha Cohen
Martha Cohen, CM, AOE, LL.D., born Martha Ruth Block in Calgary, Alberta (1920 - ), Community Builder and Philanthropist, Member of the Order of Canada. With her late husband, Harry B. Cohen, she raised four children (Philip, Cheryl, Faye (Hersh), and David) while spearheading a variety of major civic projects.
Contents |
[edit] Education
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Alberta (1940)
- Master Diploma of Social Work, University of Toronto (1945)
[edit] Achievements
Martha Cohen has long been involved in community activities. Most notably:
- Past 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.
- Past 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.
- Past Chairwoman of William Roper Hull Home for Boys and Girls.
- Past Chairwoman of the Providence Creche.
- Founder/Past Executive Director of the Calgary Jewish Family Service.
- Past Vice-Chairwoman of Old Sun College at Gleichen, Alberta.
- Past President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada
- Past member of the Council of the Alberta Order of Excellence.
[edit] Awards
- Prime Minister Medal, State of Israel Bonds (1970)
- Order of Canada (1975)
- Alberta Achievement Award (1975)
- Queen's Anniversary Medal (1977)
- Sesquicentennial Year Plaque, University of Toronto (1977)
- Calgary Citizen of the Year (1979)
- Honorary doctorate, University of Calgary (1982)
- 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)
- Distinguished Citizen Award, Mount Royal College (1995)
- Honorary Bachelor of Applied Communications, Mount Royal College (1995)
- Angel Award, International Society for the Performing Arts (1995)
- Best of Alberta Award, Calgary Herald (2008)
[edit] 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.
[edit] Martha Cohen Theatre
In 1983, Martha Cohen's late husband, Harry B. Cohen, a successful Calgary businessman, donated $1 million to get a theatre named at the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts in honor of his beloved Martha's birthday.
[edit] A Pioneer on the Prairie
Residing in a penthouse today near the Elbow River, Martha Cohen is considered to be one of Calgary's most prominent citizens, a woman who played a major part in transforming "Cowtown" into a vibrant metropolitan center.
[edit] References
- "Canadian Who's Who, 2003". http://books.google.com/books?id=KSPiKJQfTfoC&pg=PA264&lpg=PA264&dq=martha+ruth+cohen+biography+calgary&source=bl&ots=EFmGJTnXrG&sig=o_4TEPA9nLH28RAL1AXZHoacXF4&hl=en&ei=JuV_Sq_bLpHqsQOCxqTvCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10#v=onepage&q=&f=false.
- "The Best of Alberta, Calgary Herald, 2008". http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/features/greatest/story.html?id=3e46766c-462d-4cf2-8ba3-3b0c89ddcaa7.
- "Woman of Vision: Martha Cohen's Passion for Arts Began at an Early Age, Calgary Herald, 2009". http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Martha+Cohen+passion+arts+began+early/2174555/story.html.
