Martha Cohen Explained

Martha Ruth Cohen
Birth Name:Martha Ruth Block
Birth Place:Calgary, Alberta
Death Date:February 26, 2015 (94-95 years old)
Known For:Philanthropy and activism

Martha Ruth Cohen, CM, LLD (née Block; 1920 – February 26, 2015) was a Canadian community activist and philanthropist.[1] She spearheaded a variety of major civic projects, including construction of the $45 million Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts. As chairwoman of the board of directors at Mount Royal College, she oversaw the construction of a new campus and was the first woman to head a higher educational institution in Alberta. She was a member of the Order of Canada and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary in 1982.[2] [3]

Life and education

Cohen was born in 1920 in Calgary, Alberta to parents Rebecca and Peter Block.[4]

She received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta in 1940, and a Master Diploma of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 1945.[5] Cohen has four children.[6] In 1982, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary and in 1995 received a Honorary Bachelor of Applied Communications from Mount Royal College.

Cohen died on February 26, 2015.[7] [8] Her 30-piece art collection made headlines when it was auctioned off.[9]

Achievements

Philanthropy

The Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation is a private family foundation which provides grants primarily to Calgary-based charities.[14] She founded it with her husband Harry B. Cohen (1912–1990), who was also a philanthropist.

Cohen and five other women primarily were the ones to fundraise $45 million to build the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts.

In 1983, Cohen's husband Harry donated $1 million to have a theatre named at the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts in honor of Martha Cohen's birthday.[15]

After her death on February 26, 2015, the Dr. Martha Cohen School was named in her honour. 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 and described her as one of the city's foremost humanitarians and philanthropists.[16] In April, 2017, the CBE formally opened the Dr. Martha Cohen School at 1750 New Brighton Drive S.E. It will provide educational programming for approximately 900 students (Grades 5-9).[17]

Honorary degrees

Awards

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Archives Society of Alberta.
  2. News: Drumheller Mail Newspaper Archives, Sep 15, 1982, p. 26. 1982-09-15. NewspaperArchive.com. 2018-03-30. en.
  3. News: Mother Receives Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree. 1982-09-18. Lethbridge Herald Newspaper Archives, Sep 18, 1982, p. 16. 2018-03-30. en.
  4. Book: Sanderson, Kay. 200 Remarkable Alberta Women. Famous Five Foundation. 1999. Calgary. 92. 2018-04-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924080119/http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/loc_hist/page.aspx?id=917863. 2015-09-24. dead.
  5. Web site: University of Toronto, Faculty of Social Work.
  6. News: When Martha Cohen Decided to Raise Money.... 1980-07-19. Lethbridge Herald Newspaper Archives, Jul 19, 1980, p. 91. 2018-03-30. en.
  7. Web site: Calgary Philanthropist Dies, CBC News, 2015.
  8. Web site: Calgary Philanthropic Legend Martha Cohen Dies, Calgary Herald, 2015.
  9. News: Martha Cohen art collection to be auctioned off. 2015-11-07. Calgary Herald. 2018-03-30. en-US.
  10. News: Alberta 150: The wrestlers, the team builder and the professor. 2017-06-20. Calgary Herald. 2018-03-30. en-US.
  11. Web site: Calgary Jewish Family Service Bureau.
  12. Web site: National Council of Jewish Women (Calgary Section).
  13. Web site: Council for the Alberta Order of Excellence.
  14. Web site: Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation. February 27, 2015.
  15. Web site: Martha Cohen Theatre.
  16. Web site: New CBE School will be Named after Community Builder Martha Cohen.
  17. Web site: Dr. Martha Cohen School.
  18. Web site: University of Calgary Honorary Doctorate.
  19. Web site: Governor General of Canada - Archives.
  20. Web site: Scopus Award.
  21. News: Angel Award, ISPA. The Globe and Mail . 7 December 2002 .
  22. Web site: Great Minds for a Great Future, University of Toronto.
  23. Web site: Alberta Centennial Medal, Province of Alberta.
  24. Web site: Distinguished Alumni Award, Calgary Board of Education.
  25. Web site: Calgary Stampede Western Legacy Award.

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