From the 1940s, she helped to create wider civic engagement of church women; they worked for a "sanctified world".

Through the National Council of Negro Women, of which Mallory was a charter member beginning in 1935 and vice-president for many years, she worked for education and civil rights for African Americans.

Through Saints and her civic activities, Mallory promoted her advocacy for the mostly black and poor sharecroppers in the county and for the Civil Rights Movement.

The church opposed members being involved in any show business, had dress standards that forbade women from wearing make-up, and had other restrictions.

During the heart of the Great Depression, they performed at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York and raised $8,000 in donations.

Later, Mallory developed a larger school chorus, the Jubilee Harmonizers, who toured and became nationally famous.

Through the decades, Mallory led the students through the period of integration of public schools, and the broadening role for blacks after passage of civil rights legislation.

Mallory advocated providing health and welfare services to the mostly black and poor sharecroppers in Holmes County, Mississippi.

From her early years at the school, Mallory raised money for the mostly poor students, so they would have shoes and clothes.

Her continuing work with this sorority led to national networks, which helped gain funding for her school in Lexington.

A charter member of the National Council of Negro Women,[2] founded in 1935, she supported its goals to improve education and rights for African Americans.

From 1952 to 1955 in this period, Mallory also served on the board of directors of the Regional Council of Negro Leadership, a civil rights organization led by Dr. T.R.M.

Mallory was appointed as an advisor[clarification needed] to the U.S. Department of Labor (1963) in the administration of President John F. Kennedy.