Letha Ridley (1911 – 2015) had quite a life. Born in the Taft Administration that followed Theodore Roosevelt, Mrs. Ridley would live to see Barack Obama speak in the White House’s Roosevelt Room.

1955 University of Rochester Yearbook [courtesy of the Rush Rhees Library Rare Book Room. Original in the general stacks.]
At the same time, her retirement was quite the second act. Mrs. Ridley celebrated her 100th birthday in China!
Mrs. Ridley may also have been present at a noteworthy event in Rochester history. In January 1958, Dr. Martin Luther King spent the evening at the home of Dr. Charles T. Lunsford after having given a talk at the Colgate Divinity School.

Martin Luther King during his 1958 visit to Rochester. Dr. Lunsford is to his left, kneeling. Woman # 6 may have been Mrs. Ridley [Photo: Charles Price]
While Charles’ memory is keen, he said it was possible–but could not recall for certain–that Mrs. Ridley was in the photo. Maybe # 6. There is a definite resemblance. She may also have been among the guests who did not appear in the photo.
On a less bright note, having retired in 1973, Mrs. Ridley also lived through 1971, the RCSD’s most tumultuous year when mandatory busing failed.
Whether or not Mrs. Ridley was there at the Lunsford’s home, she had quite a life full of good works.