[4] In an interview by Stephen Moody of WJCL, Jackson is quoted as beginning her community service involvement at nine years old, after meeting Wesley Wallace Law.

She joined the NAACP Youth Council, with whom she participated in non-violent protests for racial equity across North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

[4] Beginning her career as a social worker, Jackson joined the Economic Opportunity Authority for Savannah-Chatham County Area, Inc.[4] From 1971 through 2001, Edna Jackson worked for her alma mater, Savannah State University.

Edna Jackson went on to work as the director of alumni affairs and coordinator of the Elderhostel Program.

In 2012, Jackson became the first African American woman to be elected as mayor of Savannah, serving for one term.