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 engagement with disadvantaged children suggested that after her election, she launched a program providing food and clothing in exchange for an assurance to attend school. She chaired the attendance committee for many years and presented evidence on this subject to a Scottish education select committee in 1887.