Lloyd is a descendant through her mother's side of John Putnam, a prominent early settler in Salem, MA.

Due to the outbreak of World War I, post-graduation, Lloyd stayed close to home and taught at her own small school for two years.

[4] She subsequently worked as a probation officer with juvenile delinquent girls in Wayne County, Detroit.

Lloyd dealt with changes in social attitudes and requirements, such as women's hours and overcrowding in housing.

Despite her attitude that school should be a place for learning, away from social distractions, Lloyd still maintained an idealistic view on the world and education.

In a speech given to the National Association of Deans of Women from January, 1944 she stated, "Education must be inspired by courageous and spiritual leadership and must touch the hearts of people as well as train their minds."

In another speech given at the American Legion Auxiliary Services on August 16, 1945, she said, "It is through generosity and compassion and honesty and love that we will build a new world.".

Lloyd was often at odds with an administration that she felt was still stuck in the past and grappled with the need for more authority in her position as Dean of Women.

In a letter to Provost James P. Adams on October 20, 1945, she expressed her displeasure with the "relationship" between the Dean of Women and the women's residence halls stating:[3] "I feel very keenly that the direction of the educational program, i.e. language tables, forums, etc., the social program, the student government organization, and the supervision and choice of the personnel dealing directly with the students (the house directors and new assistants) should be the responsibility of the Dean of Women."

These speeches focused on her academic ideals: "It is my belief that social organisations such as sororities and fraternities should choose their members solely on a basis of character, integrity, and personality without regard to race or nationality or religious creed.

"[7] and "To stress their value as house-clubs is to bring them into direct competition with the dormitories which in many instances now offer better living conditions.

[3] It is widely agreed that she was both a confidante and advisor to her students, but also cautioned against what she believed to be the unintended consequences of a college-centric social life.

Mary T. Bromage spent significant time on a biography of Lloyd to be included in A Biographical Dictionary.