She was a founding member of the National Women's Political Caucus during the early Civil Rights Movement, and she was critical to the success of Kentucky's Fair Credit Law.

[citation needed] Delahanty was involved with several social work organizations fighting for the welfare of women and children.

Delahanty went on to direct the Office of Research and Planning at the Metropolitan Social Services Department in Louisville from 1967 to 1973.

Delahanty was involved at the beginning of the National Women's Political Caucus and attended its first meeting in July 1971.

As the chair person of the Legislative Task Force, Delahanty led the movement to combine organizational efforts through the state that were fighting for women's rights and lobbying for changes to Kentucky laws.

[clarification needed] She was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to study the aid given to women from the Health and Human Services.

Mayor Harvey I. Sloane called together civic and business leaders to lead a task force on homelessness.

As the Executive Director of the Jefferson County Department for Human Services in the late 1980s, she managed a $10 million budget, over 450 employees and dozens of programs for youth, families in crisis, the elderly and disabled.

[16] Her extensive experience led to her becoming a management consultant to non-profit organizations in the 1990s, including serving as Senior Advisor to the Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children.

In 2001, Amanda Kreps-Long, director of the Louisville Tenant Association, brought to Delahanty's attention the terrible conditions of the Lake in the Woods apartment complex.

Though the property owner had numerous violations on record, the severely understaffed health department had not followed up with inspections.

Delahanty and a sympathetic press (in October 2001, the Courier-Journal ran a three-day series of articles exposing the bad conditions for renters in and around Louisville) showcased the failing attempts by the county to enforce the property maintenance codes.

The task force created guidelines for where a homeless shelter can be built and to amend the Louisville Metro Land Development Code.