As an educator, she taught geography, biology, chemistry, Latin and mathematics in West Palm Beach, Florida.

[2][5] Seeking a challenge after graduation she took a teaching job in Palmer, Michigan, but found she disliked the cold weather there.

[1] In 1908, she moved to a nearby private school opened by Grace Lainhart, where she taught Latin and mathematics.

[1] Seeking a higher salary, she again moved north in 1910, this time to White Plains, New York, but again found the snow was not for her.

She moved north once more when she became a private secretary (for the local YWCA, and then an Episcopal church) in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

"[1] She became acquainted with fellow architect Addison Mizner, who designed lavish homes in the area.

[1] After the 19th Amendment was adopted on August 18, 1920, friends asked Ballard to run for office in the election that fall.

[10] Among the building projects that were begun under her was a vocational school at Canal Point, built for the then large sum of $8,000.

[4] She was elected President of the Royal Palm Educational Association, an alliance of the school districts of three Florida counties.

[1] In 1957, she retired from her architecture business[1] and again ran for school board, this time at age 80, but failed in this attempt.

[5] After a local article chronicled her forgotten history,[6] the Florida chapter of the American Institute of Architects voted to give her a posthumous award in July 2016.

[9] Aside from English and Latin, she spoke five languages[6] including French, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian.