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.
Escribiendo bajo el pseudónimo "Iola", a principios de 1890 ganó una reputación como una voz franca contra la injusticia y se volvió copropietaria y editora del periódico Memphis Free Speech and Headlight.