Celia (Friedman) Cohen ’67, born in 1923, developed the trailblazing habit of doing things not many women in her day did.
For one thing, at the age of 42, this wife and mother went back to college to finish studies she had begun at two different universities, and graduated from Wichita State with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. At a time when few women founded their own businesses, she started up Celia Cohen Public Relations in Wichita in 1969.
During the 21 years she ran her firm, she became one of the first two women in Kansas to receive accreditation by the Public Relations Society of America. Her clients included nonprofits, government agencies and businesses – including the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, for which she provided PR counsel for Wichita performances.
Cohen also shared her public relations savvy with her alma mater. From 1971-74, she oversaw the WSUAA’s publications. In 1974, WSU President Clark Ahlberg wrote her: “I am writing to express my appreciation for the important contribution you made toward improving the Wichita State News and the Alumni Magazine.”
In 1994, she moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., where she volunteered at the Mayo Clinic and was a real estate agent. At the age of 82, she became a lobby ambassador at the Westin Kierland Resort Hotel & Spa, where she exemplified hospitality – and was presented the Governor’s Tourism Award, twice.
Celia Cohen died June 15, 2016 in Scottsdale.
