Lucina Amelia Ball – A Professional Woman Ahead of the Times

Lucina Ball did not hesitate to offer sisterly advice to her younger brothers—Lucius, William, Edmund, Frank, and George. In a letter written in 1892, she suggested that the brothers “… get up a ‘syndicate’ to buy a whole square and build it all equally good, and so make your own surroundings.” They took her advice then, as they so often did, and purchased a thirty-three acre tract on the White River.

Just as her brothers thought well of her advice and knowledge, so did Anthony J. Drexel, founder of Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University) in Philadelphia. He was impressed with Lucina’s views of the practical application of domestic science, manual and vocational training, and liberal arts. When Mr. Drexel established his school to prepare students—both men and women—for a place in the rapidly growing industrial society, he approached Lucina, who was then serving as secretary of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, with an offer. He asked her to serve as the first secretary and first registrar of his new institution. Lucina was given the task of planning buildings and developing the curricula. She also helped to recruit and select faculty.

Lucina’s mother and her brother, Frank, attended dedication ceremonies for the institution on December 17, 1891. According to Frank, “We were delighted to see how thoroughly interested Lucina was in the work and how completely the others connected with the school seemed to follow her direction and leadership.” After ten years at the institute, Lucina resigned because of ill health. She died in 1901.