[4] After graduating, de la Lastra taught music at the State of Israel and Old Panama School.

[5] Religious and nationalist themes were found throughout her work and she was a member of the Trade Union of Art Workers of Panama (SITAP).

[2][3] De la Lastra died on September 28, 2005, and was hailed as a national hero.

[6] Little Panama, I love you beautiful country Little piece of land that God gave me My Panamanian blood is a warming fire That ignites joy to the heart where I go.

[2] 1949 – Medal of Honour awarded by the Municipal Council of Penonomé[4] 1960 – Coclé's Favourite Daughter[3] 1961 – Anayansi Award for Publicity Interamericana for the composition Panama Soberana[3] 1981 – Commander of the Order Belisario Porras[3] 1981 – First Prize at the Festival of the Mediterranean and Latin American Tourist Song, held in Estoril (Portugal), the 'Golden Caravel' trophy for the song The Drummer I Have[3] 1996 – Intellectual Woman of the Year selected by the Circle of Intellectual Women of Panama (CIMIP)[2] 2005 – Order of Vasco Núñez de Balboa[3] The Gladys de la Lastra Festival has been held annually since 2013 in Penonomé and is dedicated to the work of the singer.