One of the organizers and charter members of the National Organization for Women (NOW) Seattle chapter, LaTourelle also served it in several leadership capacities between 1970 and 1980, including a term as president in 1972. LaTourelle was also active in the national organization of NOW, serving as the National Legislative Vice President for two years.

During the decade of the 1970s, LaTourelle also helped to organize and lead a variety of efforts which sought to address several national issues at the city, county and state level, including divorce reform, child care, justice for women offenders, sexism and racism in school textbooks, violence against women, the scarcity of women political candidates, and fair housing and employment.

Elaine Day LaTourelle received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Washington and her masters in architecture at Yale. She practiced with her husband as The LaTourelle Associates from 1968-1980. As part of that work she did a comprensive plan for the Tulalip Tribes. She then practiced as Elaine Day LaTourelle and Associates. She served on the faculty of the University of Washington from 1975-1990, and currently holds the position of Professor Emeritus.