[4] In 1891 she married to physician Henry L. Bailey, and moved to Washington, D.C..[3] She was involved in the Niagara Movement's 1906 Niagara Movement Conference at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia;[2][5] and was photographed at it with other participants which is now part of the 'F.

[6] William Henry Ferris lauded her work for civil rights and educational opportunities for African Americans.

[8] In 1892 she was one of the founders of the National Colored Women's League, an organization in Washington, D.C. with the goals of improving racial and social progress.

[9][10] She was president of the Dunbar Circle of the Niagara Movement, which operated as a club in Washington D.C.[11][12] Bailey was a popular speaker[13] who was described as an "earnest and convincing speaker",[14] and spoke in venues such as the Bethel Literary and Historical Society.

[15] She felt blacks should be able to attend gatherings at the White House without embarrassment.