She began work as a teacher at Benenden School before leaving to join Unilever as a researcher.
However, she became increasingly interested in urban planning and architecture, particularly the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, and decided to become a planner.
Influenced by the work of planning pioneer Patrick Geddes, she developed strong socialist beliefs.
Her work in Kent highlighted the damaging effects of suburban sprawl on the countryside, and led to firmer policies of control on the development of the area.
She was elected as the RTPI President for 1974,[3] becoming the first woman ever to hold the office, in the organisation's sixtieth anniversary year.