In her youth, Hope attended Manual Arts High School and performed in numerous Los Angeles clubs. After moving to New York, Hope served as an artist-in-residence for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, which brought her together with Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Foster, Nat Adderley, and Philly Joe Jones. She toured extensively as the leader of The Bertha Hope Trio. In addition to those listed above, Hope has appeared with the following: Elmo Hope, Kit McClure, Kim Clarke, Leroy Williams, and EddieHenderson.