She attended the University of Vermont and Burlington College, from which she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.
[1] For several years Ready taught basic literacy skills to adults in rural Addison County.
In 1988, Ready founded the Addison County Community Trust, an organization which works to develop affordable housing, protect farmland, and preserve natural resources.
[2] In 2000, Ready was the successful Democratic nominee for Auditor of Accounts, defeating Republican John S. Hall of St. Johnsbury and two minor candidates.
[7] During this campaign, Brock accused Ready of having false information in her biography, with her State Senate biographical sketch and commercial publications including Marquis Who's Who in American Politics and the State Yellow Book incorrectly indicating that she had received a bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont rather than Burlington College, and that she had completed a master's degree from Norwich University.