Coit's career began with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), where she held various roles before pursuing further studies at Columbia University.

She attended public schools in Newark before pursuing higher education at Smith College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and English in 1916.

After her father's death in 1917, she began her career as the work and industrial secretary of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of the Oranges in New Jersey.

Under her leadership, ALES expanded its focus to include a wide range of workers and developed innovative educational programs and materials.

[2][3] She secured funding from the Ford Foundation to conduct United Nations workshops and worker exchanges after World War II.