Early in adulthood she was involved in voluntary social work, including visits for the Charity Organisation Society in Hoxton.

[1] Her half sister was Isabella Holmes, who later became a noted social reformer, and an expert on London's burial grounds.

In 1894, she joined the Women's Industrial Council, serving on several committees and organising the enquiry into home work in London, which was published in 1897.

This allowed them to indulge in foreign travel, visiting Canada and the United States in 1897, South Africa in 1902, Australia and New Zealand in 1906, and India several times.

After her marriage she was concerned about the need for skilled work and training for women and played a key part in establishing the first trade schools for girls in 1904.