[3] From 1982, Henderson worked in the rail industry, employed as a ticket collector, guard and ultimately becoming one of Scotland's first female train drivers in 1992.
[4] Henderson set up the NUR Women's Advisory Committee in 1987 and campaigned for gender and social justice.
She played an important role in developing policies on sexual harassment, equality and representing women in the rail industry.
[6][7] She was shortlisted as a Labour Party candidate for the Morningside ward in the 2017 City of Edinburgh Council election.
[8] In February 2018, Henderson was voted Rector of the University of Edinburgh, becoming the second woman to hold the position following Muriel Gray.