Anna Rankin Riggs

Anna Rankin Riggs (January 25, 1835 – May 7, 1908) was an American social reformer of the long nineteenth century. Active in the temperance movement, she began her work in Bloomington, Illinois, where she was one of early board of managers of The Union Signal and helped materially to lift it out of financial depression. Her principal area of activity, however, was in Portland, Oregon. Beginning in 1886, Riggs was almost continuously in office, serving as president of the Oregon Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Having had experience in Illinois with serving on the board of managers of The Union Signal and helping to bring it out of financial depression, in 1891, she started the Oregon White Ribbon. Another prominent feature of her work in Oregon was a "school of methods" which proved an inspiration to the local WCTU unions in their department work. Eventually, she was bestowed the title of Honorary President of Oregon. Riggs also represented Oregon at conventions and was president of the International Chautauqua Association for the Pacific Northwest.

Early life and education Nancy Anna Rankin was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, January 25, 1835. Richard Montgomery Rankin (1811–1855) and Louise W. (Eads) Rankin (1814–1866). Her siblings were Matilda, Marquis, Mary, Monroe, Priscilla, Norman, John, (infant), Katuria, Orvil, and Charles. Her parents removed to Illinois when she was two years old.

Another prominent feature of Riggs' work in Oregon was her school of methods, which became an inspiration to the local unions in their department work. In November 1891, she was a delegate to attend the World's and national WCTU conventions in Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Riggs were childless, but they adopted three orphan children.