Barbara D. May

President, National Garden Clubs, Inc., 2007-2009

With her passion for education and the environment, and a love of floral design, former high school educator Barbara D. May, M.Ed., of Wayland, Mass., and Boca Raton, Fla., has stepped strongly into the demanding role of 40th president of National Garden Clubs, Inc. As top officer of the world’s largest volunteer gardening organization—which will mark its 80th anniversary in 2009--May maintains a heavy schedule of cross-continental travel while fulfilling the extensive responsibilities of her office.

Her long-time active participation in local, state and national gardening and horticultural organizations also helped prepare her for her current leadership role. Prior to becoming president of the NGC, she served the national organization in numerous capacities as an officer (first vice-president, second vice-president, third vice-president, fourth vice-president and recording secretary) and as chairman of various committees. May has been on the NGC Board of Directors since 1993 and is a trustee emeritus for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. In addition, May has earned the designations of NGC Master Accredited Flower Show Judge and Instructor in Design, Procedure and Symposium. She is the recipient of multiple awards for flower arranging and edited two NGC books, “Designs Made Easy” and “Holiday Happenings.”

May chose “Nurture the Earth – Plant Natives” as the central theme of her administration to encourage wider use of native plants and wildflowers across the country to benefit the environment. A variety of educational initiatives and projects are under way in support of this area of emphasis.

As part of her responsibilities, May serves as the primary national spokesperson for National Garden Clubs, Inc. She is assisted in the role by various experts on a local and regional level. To arrange an interview with May or a local or regional expert in your area, please contact Patricia Binder, 636.441.0022, or Debra Finkel, 314.878.1213, at Finkel & Binder Communications LLC, agent for National Garden Clubs, Inc.

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