A contemporary of Mary Ethel Creswell, Leila Ritchie Mize enrolled in the University of Georgia in 1918, the first year the school was opened to female students, and went on to complete a B.S. degree in Home Economics in 1924 and a M.S. degree in Home Economics in 1930. A pivotal force within the field of Cooperative Extension during the first half of the twentieth century, Mrs. Mize led the way for home demonstration work in Georgia and was an enthusiastic early supporter of the 4-H program. After a career as a school teacher and principal, Mrs. Mize was appointed as the first home demonstration agent for Jackson County in 1916; beginning a career that was to span 25 years of distinguished work with the Cooperative Extension Service. Leila Mize went on to serve as District Supervisor from 1917 until 1924 when she became the State Home Demonstration Agent; a position that she held until 1932. During the years 1933 through 1941 Mrs. Mize took on the role of Extension Service Specialist and from 1942 until her retirement on January 31, 1949 she served as Extension Service Program Specialist. Leila Mize was an active leader in the Georgia State Home Demonstration Council from 1924 through 1932, working hard to improve the lives of rural women. Among her many "first" accomplishments, Mrs. Mize wrote the first "Constitution and Bylaws" for 4-H girls, was the first home demonstration agent in Georgia to purchase and use a portable pressure cooker and was the first agent to be authorized to travel a district territory by automobile. Leila Mize was a member of numerous organizations including the Georgia Home Economics Association, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Upsilon Omicron. Additionally shewas the Extension fraternity Epsilon Sigma Phi's only secretary-treasurer until her retirement in 1949. Mrs. Mize was the mother of long term UGA faculty member, Dr. Jessie Julia Mize. Dr. Mize served on the faculty at the College of Home Economics for 22 years and from 1959 through 1974 was head of the Housing and Home Management Department. Both women were experienced genealogists so of special interest is a 1956 mother and daughter collaboration entitled Threads Of Ancestors : Telford--Ritchie--Mize detailing family history.
From the description of Leila R. Mize Papers, 1910-1957. (University of Georgia). WorldCat record id: 681742052
