Following emancipation, Judy Woodford Reed would likely have sought employment to support herself. Common occupations for African American women during this time included domestic service, agricultural labor, or laundress work. The challenges she faced would have included pervasive racism, limited access to education and resources, and economic hardship. It is unknown if she immediately pursued her inventive ambitions or if they developed later in life.

While no direct evidence confirms her formal education, Judy W. Reed's successful patent application suggests a certain level of literacy and understanding of technical concepts. It is possible she acquired these skills through informal means, self-study, or through community-based education efforts that emerged during Reconstruction. Researching available educational resources for African Americans in her region during this period might provide further context.