Nelson attended common schools and high school.[1]
She was married to Edward F. Nelson, with whom she had three children.[1]
Nelson was Chair of the Delaware County Republican Women in 1920. She was active in the suffrage movement, the Eastern Star, and the State Assembly Women's Club.[1]
Her first speech in office addressed the care of poor parents by their children. While in office, Nelson supported legislation to regulate the hours of women in industry, and to establishing a state probation officer. She also supported a poll tax for women, and increased salaries for legislators. Nelson introduced a bill supporting movie censorship.[2]