Helen Anderson Toland, born in Marceline, Missouri, was raised by her mother and grandparents in a small, tight-knit community. From an early age, Helen’s love for education was evident, though access was limited. In her early years, she attended a one-room schoolhouse for Black children, but because the nearest high school was 35 miles away, Helen moved to Springfield, Illinois, to live with her aunt and uncle to complete her education.

After graduating from Feitshans High School, she earned a full scholarship to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where she pursued speech corrections/therapy.

Helen’s career began in Louisville, Kentucky, where she made history as the district’s first Black speech therapist. She then moved to Los Angeles, earning her master’s degree at the University of Southern California. Her passion for helping others led her to work with the Los Angeles Enterprise School District before meeting her future husband, Jim Anderson, an active civil rights leader. Together, they moved to Las Vegas in 1964, where both became deeply involved in the local NAACP and civil rights advocacy.

In Las Vegas, Helen’s career flourished. In 1965, she became the first Black female principal in the Clark County School District, leading Kit Carson Elementary School. Known for her innovative approach to education, Helen introduced a forward-thinking "Outdoor School" program, blending nature, science, arts, and practical life skills—an early precursor to modern STEM education models. She later became principal at Robert E. Lake Elementary School.

After the passing of her husband Jim, Helen later married Elton Toland, a Los Angeles-based hair product manufacturer, and moved back to Los Angeles. After Elton’s passing in 1980, she returned to Las Vegas with a renewed commitment to community service. Helen continued to work tirelessly with community organizations such as the NAACP and Les Femmes Douze, a program that mentored young women in life skills and cultural pride. Internationally, Helen made an impact by developing a preschool speech therapy program for children in Kubwa-Abuja,Nigeria for the Daughters of Charity..

Helen’s love of African art led her to collect and share pieces from countries like Senegal, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and more. She frequently shared her collection with schools and universities, using her art as a bridge to help others connect with Africa's rich cultural history.

As a founding member of the Las Vegas alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Helen has been a steadfast advocate for unity, service, and community empowerment. Today, she remains deeply committed to education, civil rights, and cultural awareness. Helen’s life and work are a testament to the power of service, and her legacy continues to inspire lasting change in Las Vegas and beyond.