Summers attended Perth College followed by the University of Western Australia, where she completed a bachelor of arts degree. She was a member of the staff of Presbyterian Ladies' College, Perth from January 1920 to December 1961, a period of 42 years. She began her career at the college as a teacher, and in 1931 she took the position of deputy principal, followed by principal in January 1934.[1]
In 1928 she received a scholarship and completed a doctoral degree in French at the University of Paris.[1] In 1962 Summers was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire.[3]
Summers published two autobiographical books, The light of other days (1977) and Personalities and places (1978).[4]