Among the founders of the National Organization for Women, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, and Women's Way, Ballard was the executive director of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society from 1963 to 1981, credited by The New York Times with bringing its annual Philadelphia Flower Show to "international prominence.
[3] In 1964, Ballard closed Valley Gardens to become the director of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
As the show's chief organizer, Ballard expanded the annual event and made it “much more participatory” and educational in nature.
into stone", in wearing down the resistance of university officials, who responded and developed the arboretum into what it became.
The 2012 winner was Rebecca Traister for her book Big Girls Don’t Cry.