 She advocated for religious toleration and the enfranchisement of women.She took an interest in social concerns such as the Freedman's Aid Society (secretary of the committee on aid for colored regiments and of the teachers' committee, 1863), Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association (vice president), New England Women's Club (vice president) and the New England Hospital for Women and Children (secretary, 1862).She lectured at the Concord School of Philosophy on the history of art, and wrote about art in several books and articles.