In 1905 her father took her and her sister abroad and she studied the piano with Artur Schnabel in Berlin and Raoul Pugno in Paris.

During World War I she joined a Voluntary Aid Detachment and organised concert tours for the allied forces in Switzerland.

The United Associations of Women (UAW) had been formed in 1929 by radical feminists who were disappointed by the progress made by similar organisations.

After meeting the social activist, Bessie Rischbieth, Rich joined the Australian Federation of Women Voters, becoming president (1945–48).

[1][2][5][6] Rich was asked by Marion Louisa Piddington to provide sex education to young women and work to prevent venereal disease.

[1][5] In 1937, Rich married Moïse Aaron Schalit (1875–1959), a Melbourne doctor involved in the family planning movement.

She continued speaking to international peace meetings and women's groups, and also became involved in Jewish affairs.

[1][2] During World War II Rich served on the human rights committee of the United Nations Association of Australia and was a member of the Pan-Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association of Australia, which promoted the education of Indigenous women.