She began her journalism career as a regular newspaper columnist at the Rockville Tribune, where she wrote a daily column called "Squibs and Sayings" from 1893 until her death in 1918.

[4][7] The demands of Strauss's home and family life limited her time for writing, but she was determined to pursue a career as a journalist.

[4][7][9] Strauss's column at the Rockville Tribune contained a mix of stories ranging from commentary on magazine advertisements to women bicyclists and her humorous musings on married life.

She also received encouragement in the early years of her career from other Hoosier writers such as poet James Whitcomb Riley; author and editor John Clark Ridpath; and George S. Cottman, who founded in 1905 the quarterly publication, the Indiana Magazine of History.

[10] Beginning November 1903 and continuing until her death in 1918, Strauss wrote a regular weekly column for the Indianapolis News as "The Country Contributor."

[11] The Ladies' Home Journal began publishing Strauss's monthly column, "The Ideas of a Plain Country Woman," in November 1905.

Her letter to Governor Ralston is believed to have prompted his decision to establish a Turkey Run Commission, which was assigned the task of preserving the forest.

[4][5][12] Strauss also urged Richard Smith, managing editor of the Indianapolis News, to help promote the effort to save Turkey Run.

[4] In November 1915 Lieber met with Governor Ralston to discuss the possibility of establishing a state parks system as a permanent memorial to celebrate Indiana's centennial anniversary of its statehood.

[17] Strauss wrote articles appearing in the Indianapolis News and Rockville Tribune that described her experiences in rural Parke County and urged others to help preserve its natural landscape.

The Hoosier Veneer Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, acquired Turkey Run at public auction for $30,200 on May 18, 1916, outbidding the state parks commission by $100.

Funds for the purchase largely came from private donations that included a major contribution of $5,065 from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Association and another $5,000 from auto racing enthusiast Arthur C.

[9] In addition to her work as a conservation activist on behalf of Turkey Run, an Indianapolis News article in 1918, called her "one of the best known of Indiana writers.