[1][2] Scott unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for North Carolina Labor Commissioner in 1976 and served as the state coordinator for the Jimmy Carter presidential campaign.

In 1975 William C. Creel, a Democrat serving as North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, suffered a heart attack and died.

Scott decided to seek the Democratic nomination for the office the following year,[6] declaring herself a candidate on April 28, 1976.

[6] She argued that, "Individuals, small businesses and industries are overwhelmed by the burden of governmental regulations and forms to fill out.

[2] The American Cancer Society honored her with its Sword of Hope award that same year and granted her honorary life membership in the organization in 1995.

[2] Unable to communicate in her last days, she died at Hillcrest Convalescent Center in Durham on December 26, 2010, at the age of 81.