Born in eastern Kanawha County, Gates was West Virginia's first female legislator, serving in the House of Delegates from 1922 to 1923. She focused on education, child welfare, and women's rights, advocating for public services, good roads, education, and liquor prohibition.

During her term, she sponsored 13 bills, five of which became law, including a "Mother's Pensions" bill and a law supporting a public library in Kanawha County. She also chaired the House Committee on Arts, Science, and General Improvements. Gates was active in the suffrage movement and later chaired the Kanawha County Women's Democratic Executive Committee, serving as a delegate at the 1932 Democratic National Convention.