BY BERNIE MIXON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
As a child, Emma Martin worked in her parents' market on Eastern Avenue, taught neighborhood kids how to dance and developed a love of music.
As an adult, Mrs. Martin, with the help of her banker husband Carl, developed a knack for playing the stock market. Their $30,000 investment grew to $8 million over 70 years of investing.
Before she died last year, Mrs. Martin decided to donate the proceeds to education -- $4 million each to Xavier University and St. Xavier High School. Each is the single largest gift for scholarships the schools have ever received.
Mrs. Martin said the money was to "help boys and girls make something of their lives. I could put my money in a lot of other places, but I feel it's in the best of hands at Xavier. You can't get anywhere without an education these days."
The money will be used by both institutions to create the Carl G. Martin and Emma Martin Scholarship Fund.
On Wednesday, St. Xavier High School announced the establishment of a program which, beginning in 2003, will award one-year scholarships to four students with the highest entrance examination scores. Born Emma Hughes on June 6, 1904, Mrs. Martin was educated at St. Rose Elementary School and Woodward High School.
Her name and picture graced the society pages. She sold symphony and artist-series subscriptions and raised funds for multiple sclerosis research.
Mrs. Martin had a great love of music and dance. She attended the old Conservatory of Music. She taught toe dancing to neighborhood children beginning at age 14 and taught and played piano until she was 87.
Her husband, Carl, taught his wife how to handle stocks. She watched trends and learned when to buy. Her biggest investments were in Thermos Bottle (now Household International) and Bristol Myers.
While Mrs. Martin may seem a savvy businesswoman to others, to Janet McGowan, of Mount Washington, she was Aunt Emma, a giving woman who took Mrs. McGowan on vacation and had a love for children.
"She and Uncle Carl didn't have any children of their own. They talked about setting up a foundation for children who didn't have an opportunity to go to school," Mrs. McGowan said.
She remembers her aunt as a wonderful storyteller, strong-willed and independent. A generous person, Mrs. Martin also donated money to Boys Town in Kentucky as well as to local churches.
But she stressed education. She encouraged young people to strive for higher academic achievement. It's her legacy.
"Emma Martin's wonderful spirit of giving and of caring for others will now live through her generous gift to Xavier University and St. Xavier High School," said the Rev. James E. Hoff, president of Xavier University.
"It has always been our policy that a student's ability to learn, not his ability to pay, should determine his admission to St. Xavier," said the Rev. William L. Verbryke, president of St. Xavier High School.
About 75 St. Xavier High School students have begun to benefit from Mrs. Martin's generosity. They have received scholarships ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to nearly $5,500, according to Paul Zook, school spokesman.
Mrs. McGowan said she has read some of the letters the young men have written, thanking Mrs. Martin for her gift and talking about their future.
"It's too bad Aunt Emma is not here to enjoy the letters and know the happiness she brought to the boys," Mrs. McGowan said.
