[2] Independently wealthy due to her family's income, she travelled as a young woman to Mauritius (where her mother was born), New Zealand and possibly Jamaica.

[2] After Oliver's return from travelling, she joined the suffrage movement and became a member of the Women's Social and Political Union.

[1][2] Religious, Oliver was a member of the Church League for Women's Suffrage, and was a believer in the purity movement.

[1][4] To further her interest, Oliver began to write letters with another Southcottian, Mabel Barltrop, who had established an organisation called the Panacea Society that same year.

[2] The Panacea Society's first community house was at 5 Albany Road, Bedford, which Oliver co-funded the purchase of with other members.