Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 1991

About Edna Balz Lacy

Edna Balz Lacy was a honored Indianapolis teacher and businesswoman. An Indianapolis native, she became a teacher in the Indianapolis Public School System in 1927.

In 1959, her husband, Howard, died of a sudden heart attack. Lacy stepped in to become the president, chairwoman, and treasurer of his family business, the U.S. Corrugated-Fibre Box Company. With the help of her son, Andre, Lacy kept the business in the family and expanded the company to become Lacy Diversified Industries in 1972.

Lacy was known as an Indianapolis philanthropist. She formed the Stanley K. Lacy Foundation in 1973 in memory of her late son. She continued playing an active role in local civic organizations until her death in 1991. To honor her commitment to the community, the city of Indianapolis renamed the Greer Street Park after her in 1953.