Born in Dublin, Quaile grew up in Manchester, and left school at the age of twelve.
Inspired, Quaile began persuading catering workers in the city to join a union.
[1] In 1919, the WTUC became part of Manchester Trades Council, and Quaile became the National Woman Officer of the Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Labourers' Union, which later became part of the Transport and General Workers' Union.
She was also appointed to the Women's Advisory Committee of the International Federation of Trade Unions.
[1] Due to poor health, she resigned from all her national posts in 1933, but became a magistrate in 1934, and retained her trades council roles into the 1950s.