 Born in Plaquemine, she graduated from Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Louisiana State University, where she was the first female freshman treasurer.After the death of his father Fred J.Grace on September 9, 1931, she was appointed to succeed him as Louisiana Register of State Lands by Governor Huey Long, before being elected in every leap-year election from 1932 to 1956 (except 1952).