In her working life, chemical engineer Agnes Nielsen started out as a teacher, but later she became particularly interested in restoring buildings while working on restoring the facade of Thorvaldsens Museum. In 1900, she patented a method for damp proofing chalk and cement plasters. And now she has a street named after her at DTU Lyngby Campus.
In an interview in connection with her 40th graduation anniversary, she said that it was challenging to gain the respect of the old, experienced craftsmen, but thanks to what she called a steely will, she succeeded in it.
Agnes Nielsen was also a leader. From 1913 to 1924, she was Technical Manager at the Danish chemical factories Kemiske Fabrikker. She was also a person who learnt the importance of financial independence at a very young age, as she was made an orphan at the age of 10.
"Street names have traditionally been named after men, and this has also been the case at DTU," says DTU's Director of Facilities Anders B. Møller and continues:
"DTU took a stand against this a few years ago and changed several street names on DTU Lyngby Campus to honour women and reflect their efforts."
Nils Koppels Allé has been changed to Koppels Allé after the Koppel couple, as Eva Koppel also contributed to DTU's original architecture. Ole Nørgaard's Garden was also changed to Nørgaard's Garden in honour of his wife Edit Nørgaard, who played an important part in designing the outdoor areas around the buildings.
"When DTU had to name a street this time, it made sense to name it after a female pioneer - and this time, we wanted it to be Agnes Nielsen, one of the first female engineers," says Anders B. Møller.
Agnes Nielsens Vej is located at the northern end of the 3rd quadrant of DTU Lyngby Campus and connects Anker Engelunds Vej with Fysikvej and Asmussens Allé.
