In 1929, Rodríguez was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Society scholarship from the University of Berlin, which allowed her to specialize her medical knowledge in neurology and psychiatry at Cursos Internacionales de Perfeccionamiento Médico in Germany.

During her studies in Germany, under commission by the Mexican government, Rodríguez spent time with the Soviet Union and the Stalinist SSRU to learn more about their practices of mother and child protection, which in turn, first introduced her to the socialism and its movement.

Matilde Rodríguez Cabo would go on to represent and circulate Mexico's viewpoints in international conferences, particularly in regards to the treatment of women and children, which was the major area of her expertise and life's work.

[8] In February 1940, Matilde presented her work towards the hindrance of the problem surrounding delinquent minors and prostitution of children at the time in a series of conferences for the Department of Social Prevention organized by the Mexican Eugenic Society for the Improvement of Race.

[11] Under her direction, institution was reformed, with the incorporation of increased organization, improved services, conditions, and attention to the children, and a more economical approach overall by removing unnecessary expenses and faculty.

Rodríguez also enhanced the treatment of the mentally ill by including a more circumstantial clinical approach for patients rather than only generalized diagnoses, and facilitation and training for individuals reintegrating to society.

In post-revolutionary Mexico, she helped popularize the concept that a child's mental illness could possible stem from conditions of their exposed environment or economic circumstance, and not just their biological genetics.

A major criticism she had were with laws she believed did not defend the rights of single mothers and children born out of wedlock, and stated that a restructure in the interactions and treatment of these individuals, who often were required a paternity investigation, was needed, especially among class differences.

In 1937, with other feminist Marxists of the time such as Esther Chapa, Ofelia Domínguez Navarro, and Esperanza Balmaceda, Matilde presented a proposal to the Socialist Front of Lawyers to withdraw abortion as a criminal offense and to move forward in granting women full civil and political rights.