The world has lost a remarkable pioneer in the field of GPS technology, and her story is deeply inspiring. Gladys West, who played a crucial role in the development of global positioning systems, passed away at the age of 95 on Saturday due to natural causes, as shared by her family on social media. According to a post on X, she left this world peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, and is now reunited with those who have passed before her.
Gladys West was more than just a mathematician; she was a trailblazer whose journey began during the Jim Crow era, a time marked by racial segregation in the United States. Despite these challenges, she made significant contributions that laid the groundwork for modern navigation technology. Interestingly, West did not consider herself one of the billions of GPS users today. In a 2020 interview with NPR, she remarked that she uses GPS only occasionally, preferring traditional maps instead.
Born on October 27, 1930, in rural Sutherland, Virginia, near Richmond, West grew up on a small family farm while her parents also juggled various jobs. The local community largely consisted of tenant farmers, known as sharecroppers, which shaped her early life experiences.
Initially, West anticipated that her future would involve farming or working alongside her mother at a tobacco processing facility, but her academic achievements opened new doors. She excelled in school, ultimately becoming the valedictorian of her high school class, which led her to receive a full scholarship to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), an institution historically dedicated to educating Black students. West graduated with a bachelor’s degree and later earned a master’s degree in mathematics. During this time, she also taught in segregated schools in Virginia, navigating the complexities of a divided educational system.
In 1955, just after President Dwight Eisenhower enacted a ban on racial discrimination in hiring, West began her career at the Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Virginia. At that time, she was one of only three other Black professionals in the workplace. Reflecting on her early days, West shared with NPR the importance of mutual respect among colleagues, emphasizing how they aimed to treat their leaders as they wished to be treated themselves.
West dedicated 42 years to her career at Dahlgren, where her work included a landmark study in the 1960s that analyzed Pluto's motion compared to Neptune, as well as foundational research that contributed to the GPS we rely on today in the 1970s and 1980s. As part of her innovative work, West developed complex algorithms to account for gravitational and tidal variations that could distort the Earth’s shape. She utilized the IBM 7030 computer, known as Stretch, to perform precise calculations that were integral in creating the accurate model of Earth necessary for GPS satellites.
Despite her monumental contributions, Gladys West's story remained largely untold until the release of the book "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly in 2016, which highlighted the contributions of Black women in STEM fields. This book inspired a major Hollywood film that same year, bringing her work to the forefront and earning her numerous accolades in the subsequent years. Among her honors are induction into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2018, the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, and recognition from the Royal Academy of Engineering with the Prince Philip Medal in 2021, along with the Freedom of the Seas Exploration and Innovation Award from the National Museum of the Surface Navy in 2021.
West was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Ira, who she met while working at the Naval Proving Ground. Together, they raised three children and enjoyed the company of seven grandchildren.
This remarkable woman not only changed the course of technology but also inspired countless individuals through her perseverance and excellence. How many more stories like hers are yet to be uncovered? What do you think is the impact of acknowledging unsung heroes like Gladys West? Share your thoughts in the comments!
