Gertrude Brown was a community organizer for the Phyllis Wheatley Settlement House. The Phyllis Wheatley House was a resource hub for the Black community and women in Minneapolis. Brown helped organize childcare, housing and employment resources during the 1930s where social resources for Black Minneapolis residents were almost non-existent. Brown and the Wheatley House appointed women as the heads of the organization and women founded several community organizations.

From this stronghold of community and political action, Brown hosted meetings for the Pullman Porters union efforts. She also knew that the Wheatley House would shelter Black people who were being threatened and harassed by the police. Brown would stand by the front door with her rifle, willing to protect her community from police at any cost.