Not long after becoming more involved in civil rights, Adams led a boycott against businesses in Hattiesburg. She also helped to organize the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP). Adams, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Annie Devine (fellow activists) were chosen to be the represent the MFDP. They traveled to Atlantic City to go to the Democratic Convention. They were not seated this time, but in 1968 they were all seated as guests on the floor of the US House of Representatives. Adams became the first woman from Mississippi to run for the US Senate.