Suzanne F. Cohen

The enduring legacy of Suzanne F. Cohen (1935-2018) continues to serve and provide for our Baltimore community. An arts enthusiast, Suzanne was thoughtful about her philanthropic decisions. During her lifetime, Suzanne established the "Nathan L. and Suzanne Cohen Philanthropic Fund" to support emergent Jewish issues and the "Opportunity Fund" to create access to opportunities in communities. That legacy lives on through her family. In addition, created the "Nathan L. and Suzanne F. Cohen Annual Campaign Endowment to endow a permanent gift to The Associated Annual Campaign.

Suzanne F. Cohen was the second woman to serve as Chair of the Board of The Associated (1989-91). She was also Chair of the 1981 Women's Campaign and of the Baltimore Jewish Council. Her leadership extended into the community at the Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore Community Foundation and local, smaller nonprofits focused on helping young people in Baltimore City.

Below is an excerpt from a 2015 interview with philanthropist Suzanne F. Cohen.

I want to direct my giving to solve problems related to underserved populations.

I am most proud of providing free admission to the Baltimore Museum of Art so that the joy of art is available to anybody and everybody.

My giving is about tikkun olam , because I am adamant about social justice.

My funds serve dual purposes to support our Jewish community and to provide access to opportunity for people who are not in the mainstream.

I enjoy smaller organizations because I can be hands-on to touch, feel and relate.

I never imagined that after losing my husband and moving from Pikesville to Baltimore City, I would become so immersed in the needs of the underserved.

If I could solve any problem in the world, I would give every person from every background a level playing field.

Three words that describe me: Caring. Committed. Humanist.