Emma Lilian Todd was born in Washington, D.C. Specific details about her parents and family background during this period are not widely documented but this was the beginning of her life, with potential early exposures to the burgeoning technological advancements of the late 19th century.

While concrete details about her formal education are scarce, it's reasonable to assume she received a standard education for women of her time. It is likely she demonstrated an early interest in mechanical things, as this became apparent later in her life.

Before her foray into aviation, Todd explored various other pursuits to support herself. Details of these early careers are not readily available, but suggest a resourceful and independent nature, willing to try different avenues to earn a living.