Writing under the pen name “Iola,” by the early 1890s she gained  a reputation as a clear voice against racial injustice and become co-owner and editor of the Memphis Free Speech  and Headlight newspaper.
Escrevia sob o pseudónimo de "Iola" e no início da década de 1890 conquistou a reputação de ser uma voz clara contra a injustiça racial. Acabou por ser coproprietária e editora do jornal Memphis Free Speech  and Headlight.