The society met in the spacious Mair family home in the New Town and offered Edinburgh women of a certain background the chance to discuss social questions, while learning public speaking and debating skills.

In 1866 and 1872, she found that she and her fellow-suffragists were in the minority, but from 1884 onwards motions in favour of women's suffrage were carried by rising majorities.

She and Mary Crudelius were willing to take one step at a time towards their goal of equal access to university education for both sexes, with Mair believing a practical approach would bring the right results.

Classes were offered in St George's Hall to help them gain university entrance, with correspondence courses for those unable to attend.

Mair's work for women's education led to an honorary LLD from Edinburgh University in 1920[7] and a DBE in 1931.

[1] Mair's death at her niece's home in Buckinghamshire was followed by a funeral service in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh.

An obituary in The Scotsman called her a "woman pioneer" and a "venerable and notable Edinburgh lady, one who has helped make history in her time."