[3] Dixon was just seventeen years old when she became the first black teacher hired by the Richmond, Virginia, public schools.

[9] She wrote essays for national publications, including "What Role is the Educated Negro Woman to Play in the Uplifting of her Race?"

[12][13] She gave lectures at the annual gatherings of the Hampton Negro Conferences, and chaired the Committee on Domestic Science from 1899 to 1902.

Bowser also served as President of the Woman's Department of the Negro Reformatory Association of Virginia.

[1] In 1925, the first branch of the Richmond Public Library to serve African-American patrons was named for Bowser.

[17] The Rosa D. Bowser School in Richmond (the former home of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia from 1991 to 2015)[18] was named for her.