in 1895, she started working with the national association of colored women's clubs (nacwc). she became the secretary of the convention in 1896 and vice-president from 1906 to 1908. she was president of nacwc from 1908 until 1912. brooks also joined the national association for the advancement of colored people (naacp) shortly after it was founded and later created her own naacp chapter in new bedford. she would be honored as a president emeritus of the new bedford naacp in 1948.