Dr. Martha Cummings
Graduating class: 1947
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2001
Hall of Fame Category: Lifetime Achievement
Miss Martha E. Cummings, daughter of the late Malcolm M. and Emily Margeson Cummings, graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1947. She received her B.S.Ed. degree from Bridgewater State College in 1951. In 1955 she earned her Master's Degree in education and in 1970 her Doctorate in Education both from Boston University.
Ms. Cummings served as the Supervisor of Girls' Physical Education in the Abington Public Schools from 1951-56. During that time she taught Physical Education and initiated intramural and varsity sports for girls. From 1956-1982 she served Boston State College as an instructor, assistant professor, associate professor and finally professor.
She coordinated the student teaching internships for physical education major students from 1973-1990. For fifteen years she taught on the waterfront for Girls Scout and various private camps. She was appointed professor in the human performance and fitness program at the University of Massachusetts in Boston in 1982 and upon her retirement in 1990 she was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus from the University.
Dr. Cummings has served as the president of the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and as the president of the Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Her community service includes serving as the president of the Fairhaven Improvement Association, Fairhaven Historical Society, Riverside Cemetery Inc., Eta Chapter - Delta Gamma Kappa, and the Board of Governors of the Unitarian Church.
She has been a town meeting member since 1981 and had been the chair of many community committees and events. Her community awards and recognitions include a testimonial by the Fairhaven Improvement Association in 1994, the town's "Outstanding Service Award" in 1998, and induction into the Northeast Women's Hall of Fame in 1994. Dr. Cummings is listed in the Dictionary of International Biography (1974), Community leaders and Notable Americans (1976), the World's Who's Who of American Women, 6th edition, and the World's Who's Who of Women in Education, 1st edition (1974).