[3][4] Born on December 13, 1871, in Memphis, Michigan[5] to Scottish and English parents who saw that she was well educated for her era, and that she graduated as a teacher from a normal school.

[4] During her life, Hamilton was involved with public issues and serve on various local, state, and national committees focusing on initiatives designed to encourage women to take a large role in civic affairs.

[6] In 1910, Hamilton – wearing a wide-brimmed hat – held the reins of a large horse-drawn "Lilly Float for Suffragists" entry by the Grand Rapids Equal Franchise Club, followed by 75 local suffragists in decorated cars, in Grand Rapid's annual homecoming parade.

[6] Governor Chase Osborn commended Hamilton in a letter on March 30, 1912, for her efforts in the "woman's suffrage cause", when he wrote, "I think no one has done better work for the cause than you.

"[3][4] Hamilton was also a leader in the campaign to establish city farmers markets like the one that still operates at East Fulton Street and Fuller Avenue in Grand Rapids.

[6] In 1917, civic ordinances prohibiting farmers from selling directly to customers were ended and helped combat the rising cost of city living.

Her arrival in the Senate attracted a high level of media attention and initially drew concerns from her male colleagues.

[2] In 1922, she was defeated[4] in a three-way Republican primary election by Charles R. Sligh, a furniture manufacturer who abandoned the seat in 1924, when he ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor.