Arcada Balz

Arcada Stark Balz (December 31, 1879 – August 18, 1973) was an American educator, clubwoman, and politician in the state of Indiana who became the first woman elected to the Indiana Senate, serving two consecutive four-year terms from 1943 to 1950 and representing Johnson and Marion Counties. Prior to entering politics, Balz was a teacher in the Indianapolis public schools and a leader in the woman's club movement in the state. Balz was the president of the Indiana Federation of Women's Clubs from 1935 to 1937. In addition, she served as president of the New Harmony Memorial Commission from 1939 to 1947.

Early life and education Arcada Campbell Stark was born on December 31, 1879, on a farm near Bloomington, Indiana, to Mary LeFevre (Weaver) and James Norbourn Stark. During her youth, the Stark family lived in Colorado and Kansas before moving to Indianapolis.

Stark attended Indianapolis's Emmerich Manual High School and was a graduate of Indianapolis Normal College (which later became a part of Butler University) and Indiana University's Extension Division.

Marriage and family Arcada Stark was married to Frederick C. Balz, the owner of the Star Millinery Company of Indianapolis.

Career Educator and clubwoman Balz, a longtime resident of Indianapolis, began her career as a teacher prior to her marriage in the Indianapolis public schools, where she taught history, art, and literature to junior high school students.

During Balz's tenure as state president of the Indiana Federal of Clubs, her home district raised $8,000 to purchase radium for a free cancer clinic at Indianapolis City Hospital and helped to develop orchestra programs in city schools. She also recommended that the IFC establish a forestation project in collaboration with the Indiana state government. She also began planning for the publication of History of the Indiana Federation of Clubs (1939). In addition to her work with the IFC, Balz served as a director from Indiana on the advisory board of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, and chaired the program committee for the GFWC's annual meeting in San Francisco, California, in 1939.

Selected published works History Indiana Federation of Clubs (1939)