Yates received an MLS degree from Atlanta University in 1951, and went on to be a prominent member of African-American librarianship.

She served as a research writer for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, and a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

She was a visiting professor at Atlanta University Graduate School of Library and Information Science from 1976 to 1981.

She returned as interim director in 1998, but left the position on December 31 due to disputes with the library board.

[4] Under her leadership, the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library built its central branch on Margaret Mitchell Square in downtown Atlanta.

[2][5][6][4] She was so concerned about the city receiving a fair deal that she found time to earn a doctoral degree from Atlanta Law School in 1979 so she could understand contracts.