 Emily Kinnaird, of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), and it was through her that Edith first developed an interest in that organisation.In 1900 she went to India to work for the YWCA, mainly among Anglo-Indians and Indian women students, until ill health compelled her to return home in 1906.She went back to India after her illness and became travelling secretary of the YWCA Student's department in Southern India, finally leaving in 1908 after a bad case of malaria.