Episode 125: Agnes Ballard
Agnes's journey began in Massachusetts, where she pursued education and eventually moved south to escape harsh winters. Her diverse teaching career spanned public and private schools in Florida, Michigan, and New York, where she taught subjects ranging from geography to Latin. Her love for architecture led her to pursue an apprenticeship, culminating in her becoming Florida’s first licensed female architect in 1915. Beyond her architectural achievements, Agnes made history in 1920 when the ratification of the 19th Amendment inspired her to run for public office. She was elected as County Superintendent of Schools in West Palm Beach, where she tackled overcrowded classrooms with innovative solutions and oversaw the construction of new schools. Agnes balanced her roles as an educator, architect, and public servant with remarkable skill, even designing some school buildings herself. After four impactful years in public office, Agnes returned to architecture, continuing to design and teach technical drawing. Her commitment to community extended to volunteering with Girl Scouts and donating books to Palm Beach Junior College. Although much of her work has been lost, her influence lives on in South Florida’s landscape and educational infrastructure.
Caryatid: Farah Qadeer
Farah is a Senior Sustainable Design Project Manager at NYC School Construction Authority (SCA). Based in NYC, she specializes in building energy-efficient and green building technical standards. Before working with the School Construction Authority, Farah worked as a building energy code official at the New York City Department of Buildings. In addition to this, Farah also contributes her expertise as a green-building journalist for national publications.
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This transcript was prepared during the development of the episode.
The final recorded episode may deviate slightly from the content presented below as changes, edits, or improvements may be made during the recording and editing process.
Jessica: Hello there, welcome back to another episode of She Builds Podcast, where we share stories about women in the design and construction field, one lady at a time.
Lizi: This season's theme is: “Government, Civic Work, and Urban Planning” . We are talking about ladies who were involved in public projects or services.
Norgerie: As always, we are not experts, we are just sharing stories about the information that we find, as friends having a fun conversation. If you find an error, send us an email and we will all continue learning.
Jessica: This week we will be talking about Agnes Ballard, architect, educator, and politician. I'm Jessica, the picture of health based out of Miami, Florida.
Lizi: Hey girl Heyy, I’m Lizi Raar, feeling tired in San Francisco.
Norgerie: And I’m Norgerie Rivas battling a cold in Houston, Texas.
Jessica: So I’m really excited to talk about this lady, she’s been on my list for a while because we are talking about a Florida trailblazer, ya’ll! I thought about telling this story when we did our hometown season, but at the time, where she is located in Florida … I wouldn’t call my hometown, but more like my neighbor… Her story will take place in West Palm Beach, which is like 2 counties over from mine.
Norgerie: Close enough to home. Glad you're getting a chance to talk about a neighbor.
Lizi: Yes, hometown cousins if you will.
Jessica: I say all of this but our story actually begins in Oxford, Massachusetts, on September 14, 1877, when Agnes was born. Her father was Dana L Ballard and her mother was Jennie R. Carpenter. What did they do? A source mentioned that the dad “drove a job wagon.” What I can tell y'all is that the parents were originally from Vermont.
Norgerie: Ooo ok North East. Wonder when and why they made their way south.
Lizi: Yes, also I have questions about a job wagon. Is it a wagon that takes people to their jobs? Or is it a wagon for a specific job? But I digress. New Englanders they were.
Jessica: “So how was Agnes’ childhood? Any siblings or imaginary friends?” Can’t tell ya much there either. What I can tell you is that she attended public schools in Worcester, Massachusetts, and pursued higher education at Wellesley College in 1902. In 1905, she graduated from Worcester Normal School, which was basically a teaching college.
Norgerie: Ok so she's still up North.
Lizi: Love it. She’s getting her education on.
Jessica: Her first teaching gig was in Palm, Michigan. But the cold was too much … my kindred spirit… Agnes is off to the sunshine because of a quote from Agnes herself “ I wanted to go somewhere where I never would see snow again.”
Norgerie: That answers my previous question.
Lizi: hahaha.
Jessica: So our girl is 29 in West Palm Beach in 1906, teaching geography, biology, and chemistry to 6th graders. Then, she taught geography, biology, and chemistry at Palm Beach High School. THEN she taught Latin and mathematics at a private school.
Lizi: Ooo. She is going all over with her teaching.
Norgerie: She taught a lot of varied subjects and then got a taste of public vs private.
Jessica: So similar to today … as a teacher, she wasn’t getting paid much… so she takes a teaching gig in New York and then she is like “ehhh too cold” then moves to St Augustine Florida - to teach there.
Norgerie: hahaha did she forget she didn't like the cold?
Lizi: hahaha yeah such whiplash.
Jessica: through all of this, Agnes realizes that she loves architecture and that she wants to become an architect. So instead of going back to school .. (let’s be honest, she probably couldn’t anyway). Agnes decides to learn about architecture via the Louise Bethune route a la apprenticeship.
Norgerie: Well by the 1900s I think a handful of schools would have accepted her but while not impossible, probably extremely hard for all the right pieces to fall in place for her to go to architecture school.
Jessica: In 1911, Agnes would take an apprenticeship in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to study architecture at the firm Percy, Dwight, Butler. She was there from 1911 -1914. Then she was like “eeh too cold” and moved back to West Palm Beach. Plus with her newly acquired skills in 1915, she registered to become a licensed architect - making her the first woman licensed in the State of Florida.
Lizi: oooo very nice. I remember our episode 72 lady Marion Manley was the third woman licensed in Florida, so fun to hear about Marion’s predecessor today.
Jessica: In 1916, Agnes had put out an AD in the local newspaper to solicit her architectural services, listing her home as her office. She also started an architect’s club with fellow architect Addison Mizner (a man).
Norgerie: Addison Cairns Mizner was an American architect who influenced architecture in Palm Beach with how he reimagined Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival style. To this day this continues to be the character of real estate in that part of the world. So Agnes is starting a club with a famous guy. I wonder what they do in the Architecture Club.
Lizi: I was just about to ask what is an Architecture Club and do we need to start one?
Jessica: oh also, in 1916 - Agnes became only the sixth woman admitted to the AIA and we can recall how hard getting licensed and joining the AIA can be for a woman.
Norgerie: At that time, so many hoops.
Lizi: Yes. Happy to hear she was able to get in.
Jessica: Ladies, does the year 1920 ring a bell to anyone? We don’t talk about it as much on our show as we should … but seems pertinent for a season like this …. Any ideas?
Norgerie: Umm flappers? Jazz age?
Lizi: Great Gatsby vibes.
Jessica: So on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, which we can remember as the amendment that gave women (most women) the right to vote. This amendment allowed for women to run for public office.
Norgerie: Yes, a very important moment in US history. OMG Agnes is gonna run for office!!
Lizi: OMG. THINGS ARE TAKING A LOVELY TURN.
Jessica: With a little encouragement from her friends, she decided to run for County Superintendent of Schools in the 1920 election. At the same time, Clara Stypmann threw her hat in the ring for a school board position. Both women won, making history as some of the first women elected to public office in Florida. Agnes officially started her role on January 4, 1921, just as the district was experiencing a huge growth spurt.
Norgerie: This is so great and it seems so fitting for Agnes after her experience with teaching at so many schools. What exactly would she be doing as a superintendent?
Jessica: As Superintendent, she had to think on her feet. With schools bursting at the seams, she pushed for bond measures to fund new buildings. When voters weren’t convinced, she got creative, suggesting early versions of portable classrooms to handle the overflow. Agnes wasn’t afraid to make tough calls, like when she fired a principal—a move that sparked student protests outside her house!
Lizi: Woah! Making controversial decisions because they were the right call for the school!
Norgerie: Wow, those students really loved their principal!
Jessica: So if you can recall back on our Marion Manley episode South Florida is boomin - People are moving down to the sunshine state. We have houses being built and now come the schools.
Lizi: Enter Agnes.
Jessica: Using her superintendedness, she issued bonds to build more schools. She was beautifying the local streets by planting royal palms along major highways that I like to think still exist today, especially when I drive through some of the areas that the sources mention.
Norgerie: Sounds like we need an archventure.
Lizi: mmmhmmmm
Jessica: And of course, it wasn’t all politics and beautification projects … Ms. Agnes got to go back to Architecture and actually designed some of the smaller schools.
Norgerie: Yeah she did!
Lizi: Oh that’s so cool! Glad she was able to mix her education and architecture careers even more.
Jessica: After four years of tackling challenges and checking off goals, Agnes decided not to run for re-election in 1924, feeling she had done her part. Plus the architecture boom was popping so she went back to architecture
Norgerie: Oh she really did a lot in four years. But when architecture is your passion it will always call you back.
Lizi: Love that she felt she had done what she needed to and then got back into design.
Jessica: Agnes was designing houses, apartment buildings, going back to teaching … Agnes sometimes taught technical drawings at the high school at night to adults.
Norgerie: When teaching is your passion it will always call you back.
Lizi: hahaha. Everything calls you back apparently.
Jessica: between 1926 and 1928, when Agnes wasn’t designing or building - she was traveling primarily to Europe but in 1933, the Great Depression was in full swing and Agnes asked the then-superintendent for a teaching job.
Norgerie: It's interesting that she had these three career options available to her whenever needed. I'm glad she had that.
Lizi: Yeah it sounds like she has diversified in a great way.
Jessica: Agnes taught, she went to the University of Florida to earn her bachelor's degree but I’m not sure if it was for architecture, politics, or what?
Lizi: or maybe a fourth career in the making. You never know with this lady haha.
Jessica: if there wasn’t anything else to do - Agnes volunteered with the girl scouts - teaching them about astronomy, and volunteered at the public library, and at her local church.
Norgerie: Seriously, who needs free time?
Jessica: At some point, Palm Beach Junior College was opening up and Agnes donated a large portion of her book collection to the college and its library.
Norgerie: This lady is such a giver, she donates her time, expertise , resources... She gives it all.
Lizi: She really does.
Jessica: In 1957, when Agnes was 80 years old, Agnes decided to run for the school board but no luck. She would officially retire and continue her volunteer work.
Norgerie: Agnes is non-stop.
Lizi: Can’t stop. Won’t stop.
Jessica: at the age of 92 on November 24, 1969, Agnes would pass away. A lot of her work was demolished and or the records of the drawings have yet to be found. However as a Floridian the discussions of her work with beautifying the streets and adding the royal palms still exist today and have become an icon for South Florida and especially Palm Beach County. At the firm that I work at, we do a lot of schools with the school district of Palm Beach County and their elected officials. In the spirit of the government season, I thought it was insightful to include Agnes. When we think about politics, we might think of state levels or voting for the president and senators, we talk about voting in your local elections. When people say that- it’s for people like Agnes. You are voting for the local superintendents and school board officials who are of children’s education. In the most recent election, this school district in particular had bills that were looking for future funding for building schools and school improvements in general.
Norgerie: Yes, there are so many things that are within our power and electoral rights, it's a big responsibility and we should be educating ourselves on all these people and issues to make sure that we align with these officials who are getting our vote. It was pretty interesting to learn today about Agnes and how she shaped her education and career in a path that highlighted her interests and her strengths and not necessarily on what anyone told her she had to do.
Lizi: Totally agree. Agnes is a great example of how local politics are so important to our everyday lives in how our cities are shaped or our schools can be improved. I also really love how she took her background of education and architecture into her political position. It sounds like she was really set up to make a serious impact. Loved learning about her today!
Jessica: Alright, now we have reached the second half of our episode the Caryatid, this is where we select a woman living today who is doing her thing, furthering the profession, and whose work continues to hold the profession up just like the caryatids or columns shaped like women found on greek style buildings.
Jessica: So without further adieu …. this week’s caryatid goes to … Farah Qadeer
Jessica: Farah is a Senior Sustainable Design Project Manager at NYC School Construction Authority (SCA). Based in NYC she specializes in Building energy efficient and green building technical standards. Before working with the School Construction Authority, Farah worked as a building energy code official at the New York City Department of Buildings.
Lizi: oooo cool. I am feeling a connection.
In addition to this, Farah also contributes her expertise as a green-building journalist for national publications.
Norgerie: Oh she was a guest panelist at Gabl Media's All Access Pass Event earlier this year.
She reminded me of Agnes because of her work with schools and her passion about it. And I think if Agnes was alive today - I think she would have been passionate about the same initiatives as Farah
Norgerie: Definitely
Our Agora for this episode is Cristin Peacock at Peacock Architects for winning an award given by the School District of Palm Beach County.
Jessica: Before we say goodbye we want to say thank you to CMYK for the music, John W our technical advisor. And most of all thank you for listening!
Lizi: Remember to check out our show notes for links to all of our resources on this episode as well as pictures of projects we’ve talked about.
Norgerie: We hope you enjoyed learning about today’s lady and caryatid along with our banter, and that you are inspired to find out more about them and other amazing professional ladies. Again, thank you.
jessica: She Builds Podcast is a member of the Gābl Media podcast network. Gābl Media is curated through leadership for an audience dedicated to building a better world. Listen and subscribe to all the shows at gablmedia.com. That’s G A B L media.com.
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References
“Agnes Ballard Covered in a 1958 Column.” Newspapers.com, 7 Dec. 1958, www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-agnes-ballard-covere/22881344.
“Agnes Ballard Obituary.” Newspapers.com, 25 Nov. 1969, www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-agnes-ballard-obitua/22881294.
“Florida Trailblazer Agnes Ballard Architect and School Superintendent.” Newspapers.com, 25 Nov. 1969, www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-florida-trailblazer/111732561.
“Palm Beach Notes by Leone King on Agnes Ballard’s 86th Birthday.” Newspapers.com, 14 Sept. 1963, www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-palm-beach-notes-by/22881463.
Pedersen, Ginger. The Rediscovery of Agnes Ballard – Boynton Beach Historical Society. www.boyntonhistory.org/the-rediscovery-of-agnes-ballard.
---. The Rediscovery of Agnes Ballard – Boynton Beach Historical Society. www.boyntonhistory.org/the-rediscovery-of-agnes-ballard.
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