Smith played a significant role as a leader in the Country Women's Association. The Country Women's Association of New South Wales branch was founded in 1922, one of the first two branches of the organisation. The goal of the organisation was to assist women in the countryside, many of whom were living in isolated areas with limited access to health care or other public services. In 1945, the organisation became federated at the national level. While some of the branches, including the Queensland branch, practiced racial segregation and excluded Aboriginal women, the New South Wales was less restrictive. The first Aboriginal branch in New South Wales was established in 1956.
