She founded the SW activist group COYOTE and helped found the St. James Infirmary Clinic, a medical and social service organization serving sex workers in San Francisco.

 
Under her leadership, COYOTE sued  the state of Rhode Island which led to the decriminalization of prostitution in Rhode Island in 1980.  Also as a result of her efforts. mere possession of condoms could no longer be used as evidence of prostitution against sex workers.

 
http://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/SF-sex-worker-activist-Margo-St-James-dies-15868876.php