Perhaps because she wasn’t able to devote her time to paid work, Gladys spent a great deal of effort engaging her daughters in extracurricular activities and involving herself in community work. She and Lawrence wanted their children exposed to the same academic, social, and civic activities they had enjoyed growing up, if not more. Gladys became very involved in the community for her daughters’ benefit as well as her own. And her true love became the Girl Scouts of America. In fact, Gladys was single-handedly responsible for integrating the Girl Scout troop in Milton when she insisted that her daughters be allowed on an overnight camping trip, which had never before included black Girl Scouts. When she passed away many years later, a tribute to her dedication as a Girl Scout leader appeared in the Milton Record on June 4, 1948:

In the death of Gladys Powell, Milton Girl Scouting has lost one of its most able leaders, one who did much to build Girl Scouting in Milton to its present strong position. Mrs. Powell became leader of Troop 4, the first troop in the East Milton section. . . . She was the only colored woman as a leader of predominantly white troops in the United States—a symbol of Girl Scouting at its best, and a tribute to her exceptional personality and ability.

Gladys had a strong demeanor and had no tolerance for any hint of inequality. “She was an activist, like a feminist of her day and was against any type of racism,” said Alethea. “In today’s terms, she’d be considered a little bit crazy. She was very brazen for her time period and she didn’t care, particularly around white people. She was extremely outspoken about injustice toward her children. She had to be that way coming from the Deep South.”

Once her daughter Ruth came home and mentioned that she had been given a role in a play at the local theater company. “Which one?” Gladys asked. In addition to being active in Girl Scouts, Gladys was director of Community Dramatics and Pageants for the city of Milton and did all of the costumes for them. Ruth replied, “I’m going to be a servant.” Gladys snapped. She took her rifle and marched down to the theater. The story is told that she raised her gun at the director and producer and said, “My child will not be a maid! You will make her the lead in your play.” They gave Ruth the role, and a white child was the maid instead.