Gage began her public career as a lecturer at the woman's rights convention at Syracuse, New York, in 1852, being the youngest speaker present, after which, the enfranchisement of women became the goal of her life. She was a tireless worker and public speaker, and contributed numerous articles to the press, being regarded as "one of the most logical, fearless and scientific writers of her day". From 1878–1881, she published and edited at Syracuse the National Citizen, a paper devoted to the cause of women.