Gladys P. Todd, 101, of Fredericksburg died Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at Carriage Hills Health and Rehab Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Gladys Elizabeth Poles "Mom" Todd, 101, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015. Gladys, the daughter of James Poles and Annie Jackson Poles, was born in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 1913. When she was 2 years old, her parents separated, and she moved to Fredericksburg to be raised by her aunt, Lena Jackson Alexander. Gladys was baptized as a child at Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site). In her childhood she witnessed a Ku Klux Klan parade, and it left an indelible impression and subsequent commitment to civil and human rights. Gladys attended the Fredericksburg Colored School (now the site of the Fredericksburg Fire Department) until she was 12 years old. She then attended a boarding school for high school students at Virginia State College in Petersburg. Gladys continued on to college there and completed the teacher training program. A very popular and widely admired student, she was elected Miss Virginia State College. She always lived her life knowing that having an education was not only a privilege but also an obligation. Gladys returned to the Fredericksburg area to teach in a one-room schoolhouse in Stafford County and, later, in the first grade at Walker-Grant School in Fredericksburg. She later became a substitute teacher and a home-school coordinator for the city's schools. In 1942, she met and married Clarence R. Todd. He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and they met at a USO dance. They eloped before he went overseas. In 1944, Gaye Elena Todd was born to this union. Once she became a mother, Gladys knew she could no longer accept segregation as a way of life. She wanted a better life for her daughter. She purchased a life membership in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the "installment plan." She worked tirelessly for the NAACP, especially with membership campaigns and later with its Youth Division. When she read about playgrounds around Fredericksburg, Gladys went to the city's supervisor of recreation to advocate for a playground for black youth. She was told to take a census of the children in her neighborhood. Gladys did so and then set up a playground for black children in City Park (now Hurkamp Park) with little equipment. She used her own creativity to make up games, events and songs. Black teenagers were not allowed at the city's Community Center at that time. Therefore, Gladys worked to set up the "Youth Canteen" at the colored Elks Hall and later at the Odd Fellows Hall twice a week. Her creativity attracted great attendance with monthly theme parties, formal dances at Christmas and in the spring, and various tournaments Active in her church, Mrs. Todd continued her work with young people in the Baptist Training Union. She designed Youth Week activities, tutored youth ministers and formed the "We" club for college students to get together over summers and holidays. All of these activities and the Canteen continue to be among the fondest memories of many young people who grew up in a segregated era of Fredericksburg. Gladys spearheaded fund-raising for Walker-Grant's band uniforms and instruments and for the operational support of Anne Hamrick House (before funding from United Way). She also supported fundraising for the Walker-Grant PTA and the NAACP. Mrs. Todd had the unusual ability to get people from all walks of life involved in community fundraising projects and activities. She coordinated and supervised night study programs. As president of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary of the Bass, Brittenham, Bundy chapter, she arranged for black youth to participate in Boys and Girls State. Gladys' dedication, creativity and enthusiasm carried over from education and recreation to politics. She became a political machine a great community organizer. In the early '60s, she coordinated the sit-ins at local lunch counters at a time when there were few phones and limited transportation. Mrs. Todd joined the Citizens United for Action. When the Rev. Lawrence A. Davies ran for City Council, she made a block-by-block map of the town and found a chairman for each block. The number of black voters doubled. She formed a coalition with liberal whites. She also organized poll watchers and transportation. Davies won the election and later, with the same kind of effort, became the first black mayor of Fredericksburg and the longest serving. Her husband, Clarence Todd, was elected first black member of the Fredericksburg School Board. He also directed Harambee 360 Theater, the Black Arts Festival and the Miss Black Teenage Fredericksburg Pageant. Mrs. Todd held pivotal behind-the-scenes roles for each of these. Mr. Todd passed away in 1977. In 1969, Gladys was blessed with a grandson, Juno Lumumba Kahlil, who loved her dearly, called her every day and visited at least once a month. Over the years, Gladys Todd received many honors and awards, but the honor she was most proud of was that so many people called her "Mom." Perhaps this was due to her involvement with youth. Perhaps it was her "mother love" to the entire community. Black/white, young/old, educated/not-so-educated, well-off/indigentthey all called her "Mom" because she treated everyone with the same respect. Gladys is survived by her daughter, Gaye Todd Adegbalola (aka Gaye Pitchford) of Fredericksburg, and her grandson, Juno Pitchford of Fairfax. She is also survived by a host of diverse extended family members and others who called her "Mom." True to her humane and generous spirit, Mrs. Todd requested that her body be donated to science. A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 7, at Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site). In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions be made to the Gladys P. Todd Scholarship Fund, Walker-Grant Alumni Association (WGAA), Box 3865, Fredericksburg, VA 22402. Arrangements were handled by A.L. Bennett & Son Funeral Home.