During World War II she worked on war-related projects, including designing or remodeling buildings for the USO clubs.

[2][3] In 1950, she donated services to her alma mater, Barnard College, redecorating the dining halls and gymnasium on campus.

[2] Antique dealer Bruce Newman, who was a student at Pratt, recalled Pepper's aesthetic as "soulless modernism".

[10] She advised homeowners to plan interiors during the construction phase of a new space,[11] and to avoid trends, saying "You don't want your house to be full of fads and 'design tricks' which you will soon be tired of.

These included lower wages, segregation from the men into dead-end departments, being assigned menial tasks, being offered no chance for advancement.