She was a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives between 1954 and 1970, and was elected the Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives in her final legislative term, the first woman to serve a full term as the legislative body's presiding officer.
[1] She then moved to Casper, Wyoming, where she taught at English at Natrona County High School from 1927 to 1939.
[1] She also served on Governor Clifford Hansen's committee on Education and the Status of Women.
[4] As speaker, she helped pass a 1% tax to save the state's finances and create the Department of Economic Planning and Development.
[1][4] The Verda James Elementary School in Natrona County, Wyoming was named in honor of her.