Martha Blackburn (1944-1992)

Martha Blackburn
Martha Blackburn

Year Born: 1944

Year Died: 1992

Year of Induction: 1993

Member of CAB Hall of Fame

Blackburn, Martha (1944-1992)

In 1975, Martha Blackburn became the controlling shareholder of the Blackburn Group Inc. of London, Ontario. In 1984 Martha became Chair and President and was responsible for CFPL Broadcasting Ltd (CFPL-AM-FM-TV), London, Ontario, CKNX Broadcasting Ltd (CKNX-AM-FM-TV) Wingham, Ontario, London Free Press Printing Company, Netmar Inc., Blackburn Marketing Services and Blackburn Holdings Ltd.

Martha was a founding member of the Walter J. Blackburn Foundation established by her late father. This foundation gave grants to charitable organizations in the fields of health, education, welfare, the environment and the arts. She served on several boards and committees, including (among others) Canadian Press, the Ontario Press Council and the Michener Awards Foundation.

Martha Blackburn died of a heart attack on August 15th 1992, at the age of 47.

In 1993, Martha Blackburn was posthumously inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Written by J. Lyman Potts – April, 1996