Grant began her career in public relations in New York City. Meanwhile, she attended the 6th World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow, Soviet Union in 1957, alongside 140 other Americans. She also visited China alongside 56 other Americans, even though US citizens were not allowed to visit the communist nation at the time. She also visited India, Africa and Cuba. Upon her return to New York City, she served as an assistant to civil rights leader W. E. B. Du Bois. On February 3, 1960, she was exposed by the House Un-American Activities Committee as a member of the Communist Party USA.