Her experience in working with the poorest children meant that as soon as she was elected she started work on a scheme offering food and clothing in exchange for a commitment to attend school. She was convenor of the attendance committee for many years and gave evidence on this subject to a select committee on education in Scotland in 1887.
Her involvement with the most disadvantaged children indicated that upon her election, she initiated a program providing food and clothing in exchange for an assurance to attend school. She served as the chair of the attendance committee for many years and testified on this matter before a Scottish education select committee in 1887.