 She was elected state president of the CWA in 1938 and vigorously performed her duties, despite a serious car accident in 1939 and contracting pneumonia in 1940, the year in which she retired.As president of the CWA at the outbreak of World War II, she actively mobilised support for the war effort and was foundation director and executive chairman of the Women's Australian National Services from 1940 to 1942.She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1941.