Until then, no woman had occupied so high a place in the U.S. educational system for the same length of time.

[5] In 1922, Arnold resigned the responsibilities of active leadership in Simmons College in order to become an educator-at-large.

She spoke in nearly every state of the U.S. During World War I, the Federal Food Administration sent her to the colleges and universities of the country to make addresses, including several at the state and national meetings of the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

An address made in the early 1920s in the Cincinnati Music Hall was heard by an audience of more than 3,000.

[8] These included, Stepping Stones to Literature, Arnold Primer, and Waymarks for Teachers.

[12] Arnold made her home in Newton Centre, Massachusetts,[5] and later in Boston at Hotel Graylan.