Martha Cohen

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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