Skid row is her ministry; Skid Row Development Corp.'s Martha Brown Hicks has found her meaningful calling.

Growing up in St. Louis in the '1940s, Martha Brown Hicks wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and be a preacher.

Problem was the Baptist church she was raised in didn't allow women ministers. Instead, Hicks wound up in city government, and she has spent the past 16 years trying to redevelop and revitalize Los Angeles' skid row.

"Now I feel this is my ministerial calling," says the 60-year-old president of Skid Row Development Corp. "At least I have a good cause. I believe in it because it works."

Described even by admirers as eccentric and flamboyant in her dress and personality, Hicks nevertheless has become the consummate L.A. fundraiser -- a friend of business leaders and politicians alike -- who has continued to build her organization in a time of cutbacks in government spending and corporate giving. Last year, she was appointed by L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan to one of five positions on the powerful L.A. Airport Commission.

Chris Martin, managing partner with Albert C. Martin & Associates architectural firm, said he and his partners recently decided to donate $5,000 (their only donation this year) to Hicks' organization because they believe Skid Row Development Corp. is the most effective vehicle for change downtown.

"The consequence of her activities is that the spaces between office buildings downtown are cleaner and safer, and that's good for business," says Martin. "Martha is a tireless, energetic, fashionable fundraiser who is loved by the business community. If you put dollars into Martha, the consequence is an improved environment downtown."

Hicks moved to California in 1956. She worked as the director of grants and community services for the City of Santa Monica, and as assistant city manager and interim city manager for the City of Compton. Then she was recruited by the L.A. Community Redevelopment Agency in 1978 to head a new non-profit corporation, partially funded by the CRA, to redevelop Skid Row.

She started out with a $95,000 budget. She rehabilitated a warehouse and turned it into a transitional shelter center for the homeless. She developed additional shelter services, affordable housing, and commercial/light industrial space. Today, Skid Row Development Corp. has an annual budget of $3 million and more than $10 million in assets. It is currently renovating the 56-room Narbo Hotel as single room occupancy (SRO) "bridge" housing between free shelters and full-priced apartments.

"Long before there was anyone else in the battle, she was there. Under difficult circumstances, she has managed to survive," comments Mike Neely, director of the Homeless Outreach Program, which plans to present Hicks with an award in December. "To have survived has been a very remarkable accomplishment. To own several major pieces of real estate and be in the process of developing a hotel, I see as focused growth."

Neely pays Hicks what is probably the ultimate compliment when he says: "For somebody like my daughter, I want her to have Martha Brown Hicks as a role model."

Hicks' top concern today is keeping her organization alive with all the cutbacks afoot, and with the looming possibility that the CRA will soon cut her off because it is about to reach a court-imposed spending cap on Central Business District redevelopment. Hicks is focusing all her attention these days on fundraising -- her forte -- and leaving other administrative and operations tasks to her staff.

Redevelopment watchers agree that Hicks has a rough road ahead, but they believe in her ability to survive the impending funding crisis.

"There may have to be a retrenchment. I expect she will be cutting back fairly dramatically," says CRA Director of Operations Don Spivack. "But she will continue to be successful at private fundraising. She is very strong, very dedicated, with a lot of get-up-and-go."

Known for wearing large, interesting hats and designer suits and hosting lavish parties, Hicks may be a bit out of place on Skid Row, but few question her dedication and enthusiasm.

"Is she in touch with the average person on the street? No, probably not. But she has those people working for her who are in touch," says Neely. Hiring good staff frees Hicks to travel to Washington, D.C., seeking grants and hobnobbing with important politicians and business executives.

"I would call her forceful and opinionated. I would call her shrewd. She is very, very shrewd when it comes to fundraising and politics," Neely continues. "Her level of style may seem eccentric to Californians. We live in a society where we're not used to seeing African-American females who will stand up and put their hands on their hips and say, `Wait. Hold it.'"

A few years ago, Hicks heard about an influential attorney named Richard Riordan and asked a member of her board to persuade him to visit Skid Row Development Corp. Riordan wound up contributing $20,000, and Hicks volunteered to work on his campaign. After he became mayor, Riordan appointed Hicks to the Airport Commission, although she had no experience dealing with airport matters.

Riordan says he contributed to Hicks' organization because he saw her as a "real leader, dedicated to getting people back up on their feet."

The mayor, relating an old adage, says rather than giving a poor man a fish, it's far better to teach him to catch his own. Transition House, a Skid Row Development Corp. project, helps homeless people find work and affordable housing, rather than simply providing temporary food and shelter. Hicks, says Riordan, is "teaching people how to fish."

Riordan says he appointed Hicks to the Airport Commission because she is a fast learner and a hard worker.

"For this important commission, I would rather have a bright, dedicated person than a mediocre person who is experienced," says the mayor.

Hicks says she finds the commission interesting and always reads all available materials in preparation for each meeting, so she can make informed decisions.

"I believe in the mayor. I would have served on any commission," she adds.

Although at an age when many consider retirement, Hicks has no intention of slowing down.

"As long as I'm physically able, I'll do this for the rest of my life," she says. "I don't think you ever stop learning."

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Martha Brown Hicks Native of: St. Louis Resident of: Country Club-Park, Los Angeles Age:60 Education: Certificate of Completion, Hubbard Business College, St. Louis; Certificate in Urban Planning, University of California at Irvine