Mascarenhas was a principal at A.J De Almeida High School, Ponda from 1948 to 1952, before contesting in the Goa, Daman and Diu elections in 1963.

[2] Mascarenhas, along with fellow politician Jack de Sequeira, was involved in a movement that led to the eventual victory of the Goa Opinion Poll.

[4] Mascarenhas was a founding member of the United Goans Party (UGP) along with her husband, Marcelino.

[5][6][7] Some of her mentors in politics were C. Rajagopalachari, S. Nijalingappa, former chief minister of Mysore State and Rajmohan Gandhi.

[2] On 20 February 2010, Mascarenhas died from a prolonged illness at Dr. Baban's Nursing Home at Vasco da Gama, Goa.