She was a pioneer in the advancement of college education for women, and the image of educated women.
A national figure, she portrayed herself as a New Woman, and especially in Boston was seen as a "respected, financially independent, successful academic woman devoted to promoting women's education."
She appeared in magazine and news stories and was requested for public speaking engagements.
After she retired from Wellesley she also wrote articles for major magazines.

She labored earnestly in many paths to increase opportunities of service for college women, and in every field to choose for advancement those with capacity for leadership and scholarship, who should themselves become creators of new and larger opportunities for others.

— American Association of University Women
In 1881, Palmer co-founded the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, which later became the American Association of University Women.
 She would serve as its President from 1885 to 1887 and again from 1889 to 1890.

From 1887 to 1889, the newlywed lectured about higher education for women.
After working at the University of Chicago, she continued lecturing and advocating for women's education.
She was appointed to the Massachusetts Board of education.
Palmer was the trustee of many organizations and worked to solve educational problems.
She resigned as trustee of one college when she learned at a young woman was refused admission because she was colored.
The school modified its policy shortly after Palmer resigned.
In 1893, she helped organized the Woman's Building for the World's Fair in Chicago.

Palmer received an honorary L.L.Ds in 1895 from Union College and the University of Wisconsin.

She was a member of the Massachusetts State Board of Education from 1889 to 1902.
From 1891 to 1901, she was the president of the Woman's Education Association in Boston.
She was General Secretary of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, one of the chief executive officers of the Association for Promoting Scientific Research by Women, and President of the International Institute for Girls in Spain.
She was a pioneer in the advancement of college education for women, and the image of educated women. A national figure, she portrayed herself as a New Woman, and especially in Boston was seen as a "respected, financially independent, successful academic woman devoted to promoting women's education." She appeared in magazine and news stories and was requested for public speaking engagements. After she retired from Wellesley she also wrote articles for major magazines.
She labored earnestly in many paths to increase opportunities of service for college women, and in every field to choose for advancement those with capacity for leadership and scholarship, who should themselves become creators of new and larger opportunities for others.
— American Association of University Women
In 1881, Palmer co-founded the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, which later became the American Association of University Women.  She would serve as its President from 1885 to 1887 and again from 1889 to 1890.
From 1887 to 1889, the newlywed lectured about higher education for women. After working at the University of Chicago, she continued lecturing and advocating for women's education. She was appointed to the Massachusetts Board of education. Palmer was the trustee of many organizations and worked to solve educational problems. She resigned as trustee of one college when she learned at a young woman was refused admission because she was colored. The school modified its policy shortly after Palmer resigned. In 1893, she helped organized the Woman's Building for the World's Fair in Chicago.
Palmer received an honorary L.L.Ds in 1895 from Union College and the University of Wisconsin.
She was a member of the Massachusetts State Board of Education from 1889 to 1902. From 1891 to 1901, she was the president of the Woman's Education Association in Boston. She was General Secretary of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, one of the chief executive officers of the Association for Promoting Scientific Research by Women, and President of the International Institute for Girls in Spain.
Alice Freeman Palmer