Toston, Gertrude

Gertrude Toston was born May 09, 1947 in Galveston, Texas, and grew up in Austin, Texas. Her parents moved to Seattle, Washington, to provide more opportunities for their children but ended up separating. Toston’s mother brought the children to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960 to have the support of her sister while she divorced. Her sister's husband, Reverend Coleman, was the pastor of Second Baptist Church, and the family became very involved in church activities.

The family settled in Highland Square near Owens and J Streets, and Toston’s mother supported the family by working at A1 Phillips Cleaners, taking in foster children, and selling clothing lines from home. She would go on to higher education after graduation from Western High School.

In 1964 Toston entered the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and began working at the Boulevard store and Head Start to support herself through school. She had several friends who also went to UNLV at that time, and she and Mosella Scott moved in together to share rent and develop their independence. Toston was introduced to her future husband during this time. They married in 1973 and eventually had two children: a son, Roshawn, born in 1975, and a daughter, Kaneeka, in 1980.

Around 1967, when Toston was active in the Human Relations Committee, Dr. Barbara, a professor of zoology and advisor for the Harry Reid Center (HRC), suggested that she apply at Western Airlines since they were hiring. She was hired and trained as a customer service agent, and she ended up working for the airlines for 27 years. When she retired from that job in 1994, she went right back to UNLV for her master's degree. Toston worked as a graduate assistant and student teacher advisor. She finished with a degree in special education and was hired at Brinley Jr. High.