By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP - Martha P. Martin made history when she became the first woman elected moderator of the United Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Cincinnati in 1971.

She also served as secretary of the national United Presbyterian Women, as well as vice moderator of the General Assembly and vice chairperson of the national Presbyterian Church USA.

A former Enquirer Woman of the Year, Mrs. Martin, 86, died Jan. 13 at her home at the New England Club in Anderson Township.

She devoted herself to service to the Presbyterian Church after raising her three children. She traveled nationally and internationally on behalf of the church and filled the pulpit as guest preacher at many Greater Cincinnati churches.

Mrs. Martin was elected president of the Cincinnati United Presbyterian Women in 1964 and, in 1967, became the first woman ordained as elder and clerk of session at Mount Washington Presbyterian Church.

In 1973, she became president of the United Presbyterian Women Synod of the Covenant - a regional district that included Ohio.

Beginning in 1979, Mrs. Martin served for 10 years as stated clerk for the national Synod of the Covenant. She was on the General Assembly Council from 1985 to 1995, being elected vice chairman in 1991 and chairman in 1992.

Mrs. Martin was born in Oakland, Ill., in 1917. She was a graduate of the University of Illinois, where she met her future husband, Daniel W. Martin.

She was preceded in death by her husband and an infant son, Donald W. Martin.

Survivors include daughters, Mary Kilpatrick of Wooster and Nancy Glasgow of Hays, Kan.; a son, David Martin of Cary, N.C.; a brother, Van Parker of Carmichael, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Memorials: Mount Washington Presbyterian Church, 6474 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati 45230.

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E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com