A house-wife from Düsseldorf, Agnes was a leading figure in the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the socialist women's movement in the city.

[3] At the 1913 Jena congress of the SPD, Agnes belonged to the radical anti-militarist grouping, and supported Rosa Luxemburg's call for general strike action.

[4] After the SPD split, Agnes became a leading personality in the Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany (USPD).

Agnes belonged to the group that was freed as revolutionaries stormed the prison, and she immediately became a leading organizer of the revolution in Düsseldorf.

[6] She was put in charge of issues relating to food, health and welfare on behalf of the Düsseldorf council.