Agnes Graham Sanders Riley was born on February 13, 2002, so like Iota Sigma Pi, she celebrates her centennial this year. Agnes was the valedictorian of her high school class in Max Meadows, Virginia (1920). Agnes earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry with high honor from Hollins College (1924) and her master's degree in physical chemistry from the University of Chicago (1925). When asked whether she was the first woman in her family to attend college, Agnes smiled and pointed to the portrait of her grandmother and namesake, sharing that she had also attended college. Agnes related about her time at Chicago, "It wasn't funny that I was a woman, it was funny that I was a southerner." Unfortunately, Agnes suffered due to the prejudices of classmates.
Agnes regrets that she did not continue her graduate work and obtain a Ph.D. When she finished her master's in the late 1920's, her father had Agnes' four brothers and one sister for whom to pay tuition; he could not afford to continue paying Agnes' tuition in the midst of the depression. Agnes' advisor helped her to find a job at the nearby hospital. Unfortunately, the offered salary was less than tuition; Agnes chose to take another position instead. Agnes was an Instructor and then an Assistant Professor at Hollins from 1925 to 1932. Agnes was an Instructor at Newcomb College, Tulane University, from 1932 to 1936 and then a Research Assistant at Tulane from 1936 to 1938. Agnes met Herbert Parkes Riley while she was at Tulane.
Agnes and her husband settled in Lexington, Kentucky. H. P. Riley was a botanist who served as chair of his department at the University of Kentucky. Agnes was not allowed to teach at UK because the university at that time had a rule against spouses working at the same institution. During World War II this rule was relaxed somewhat and Agnes instructed soldiers in the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Kentucky.
Agnes proudly told us about her son, who attended Phillips Exeter Academy, earned his bachelor's at Harvard, and his Ph.D. at Berkeley. Agnes had a chuckle when she revealed her son and his wife are professors in the same department... political science.
Agnes has been active through the years in a variety of organizations, ranging from the American Cancer Society to a variety of historical societies. Agnes is still quite active--she lives alone and gets around quite well. The folks at UK's Faculty Club smiled and greeted Mrs. Riley by name. There was a variety of current magazines and books in her lovely home. Agnes is an amazing woman and I aspire to be as full of life as Agnes when I reach 100.
On May 22, 2002, Allison Strange Soult (with her daughter) and I (Jennifer Muzyka) went to lunch with Agnes Riley at the University of Kentucky Faculty Club. We tried to convince Agnes to let us treat her to lunch, but she wouldn't have any of that. We presented Agnes with this medal engraved with her name and Iota Sigma Pi. And we had the opportunity to get to Agnes. It was a lovely afternoon. Here are some photos of our visit.
Medal engraved with Agnes Riley, 100 years
Opposite side of medal, engraved with
Agnes Riley and Allison Strange Soult, with Allison's daughter
Jennifer Muzyka and Agnes Riley
Agnes Riley