Ida Benderson earned a certificate in Library Science from Syracuse University, where she was employed as a librarian for  next nineteen years. In addition to her initial career as a librarian, she held many other positions throughout her life including executive director of the Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, chair of the city of Syracuse Housing Authority, member and vice president of the board of trustees of the Foundation of New York State Nurses, and president of the New York State Region and Syracuse Section of the National Board of the Council of Jewish Women. Benderson was also passionate about education, politics, and services for the elderly. The Ida Benderson Senior Center was named for her in 1975. The center remained in operation until 2011 when it was closed due to lack of funding. Benderson received numerous awards and other recognitions for her work.