Southcott was born in Adelaide and graduated with a pharmacy degree from the University of Adelaide. She initially worked at the Adelaide Repatriation Hospital; however, her marriage in 1952 forced her to resign from the public service and she subsequently continued her career in private retail pharmacy work. She was a co-founder of the Women Pharmacists Group and was involved in numerous organisations, including the National Council of Women, Women's Electoral Lobby and the Electoral Reform Society.
