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Gladys West

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

American mathematician (1930-2026)

Gladys WestWest in 2018BornGladys Mae Brown(1930-10-27)October 27, 1930Sutherland, Virginia, U.S.DiedJanuary 17, 2026(2026-01-17) (aged 95)Alma materVirginia State University (BS)Virginia State University (MS)University of Oklahoma (MA)Virginia Tech (PhD)Known forSatellite geodesySpouse
Ira West
​ ​(m. 1957; died 2024)​Children3
Gladys Mae West (née Brown; October 27, 1930 – January 17, 2026[1]) was an American mathematician. She is known for her contributions to mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models, that were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS).[2]
West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018. She was awarded the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award for the development of satellite geodesy models.[3][4]

Early life and education[edit]
Gladys Mae Brown was born in Sutherland, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County, a rural county south of Richmond.[2][5][6] Her family was an African-American farming family in a community of sharecroppers. She spent much of her childhood working on her family's small farm.[7][8] As well as working on the farm, her mother worked in a tobacco factory and her father worked for the railroad.[6][9] West saw education as her way to a different life.[10]
At West's high school, the top two students from each graduating class received full scholarships to Virginia State College (Virginia State University (VSU)) – a historically black public university.[7] West graduated as valedictorian in 1948, and received the scholarship.[6][10] At VSU, she chose to study mathematics, a subject that was mostly studied by men.[7] She also joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.[2] West graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics,[6] and then taught mathematics and science for two years in Waverly, Virginia.[6] West returned to VSU to complete a Master of Mathematics degree, graduating in 1955.[10][6] Afterwards, she began another teaching position in Martinsville, Virginia.[6]

Career[edit]
Data processing report for GeoSat by Gladys West[11]
In 1956, West was hired to work at the Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Virginia (later the Naval Surface Warfare Center). She was the second black woman hired and one of only four black employees.[7][5][2] She was a computer programmer in the Dahlgren division, and a project manager for processing systems for satellite data analysis.[12] Concurrently, West earned a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.[6]
In the early 1960s, West participated in an award-winning study that proved the regularity of Pluto’s motion relative to Neptune.[13] Subsequently, West began to analyze satellite altimeter data from NASA's Geodetic Earth Orbiting program, to create models of the Earth's shape. She became project manager for the short-lived Seasat radar altimetry project, the first satellite that could remotely sense oceans.[14][15] West's work cut her team's processing time in half, and she was recommended for a commendation.[16]

West and Sam Smith look over data from the Global Positioning System at Dahlgren in 1985
From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, West programmed an IBM 7030 Stretch computer to deliver increasingly precise calculations for the shape of the Earth; an ellipsoid with additional undulations known as the geoid.[8] To generate an accurate geopotential model West needed to use complex algorithms to account for variations in the gravitational, tidal, and other forces that distort Earth's shape.[9]
In 1986, West published Data Processing System Specifications for the Geosat Satellite Radar Altimeter, a 51-page technical report from the Naval Surface Weapons Center (NSWC). This explained how to improve the accuracy of geoid heights and vertical deflection, important components of satellite geodesy.[2] This was achieved by processing data from the radio altimeter on the Geosat satellite, which went into orbit on March 12, 1984.[11]
West worked at Dahlgren for 42 years, and retired in 1998.[7] In 2000, she completed a PhD in Public Administration at Virginia Tech by distance-learning.[13][17][18]

Legacy[edit]
West being inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2018
West's vital contributions to GPS technology were recognized when a member of her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha read a short biography West had submitted for an alumni function.[2]
West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018, one of the highest honors bestowed by Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).[19][13] The AFSPC press release hailed her as one of "the 'Hidden Figures' part of the team who did computing for the US military in the era before electronic systems", a reference to the 2016 book by Margot Lee Shetterly, which was adapted into the film Hidden Figures.[20] Capt. Godfrey Weekes, commanding officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, described the role played by West in the development of Global Positioning System: "She rose through the ranks, worked on the satellite geodesy, and contributed to the accuracy of GPS and the measurement of satellite data. As Gladys West started her career ... in 1956, she likely had no idea that her work would impact the world for decades to come."[21] West agreed, saying "When you’re working every day, you’re not thinking, 'What impact is this going to have on the world?' You're thinking, 'I've got to get this right.'"[2]
As an alumna of Virginia State University, West won the award for "Female Alumna of the Year" at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Awards in 2018.[22]
West was selected by the BBC as part of their 100 Women of 2018.[7] In 2021, she was awarded the Prince Philip Medal by the UK's Royal Academy of Engineering, their highest individual honor.[23][24]
In 2024, Virginia's Fredericksburg City School Board voted to name its third elementary school in her honor: Gladys West Elementary School.[25]

Personal life[edit]
West met her husband Ira at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, where he also worked as a mathematician. They were two of only four black employees at the time.[2] They were married in 1957.[7][5] They have three children and seven grandchildren.[2] The West family went to Chapel on the Proving Ground every Sunday.[9] As of February 2018[update], West lived in George County, Virginia.[2] Her husband died on October 20, 2024.[26]
The Civil Rights movement was fully underway during her time at the base. Though she supported the movement, she could not participate in protests because she was a government employee. In Boomtown, where married people lived on base, she was part of a club of black women who discussed civil rights topics.[27]: 91–92 
During her career, West encountered many hardships because of racism against African Americans. A prime example was the lack of recognition she received while working, while her white coworkers received praise and added privileges. Her biography makes clear her disappointment at not being granted projects that included travel and exposure.[27]: 97, 105 [28]
West continued to prefer using paper maps over GNSS-based navigation systems,[29] saying: "I'm a doer, hands-on kind of person. If I can see the road and see where it turns and see where it went, I am more sure."[8]
West died on 17 January 2026, aged 95.[30]

Publications[edit]
"Smoothing of Geos 3 satellite radar altimeter data". Journal of Geophysical Research. 84 (B8). American Geophysical Union (AGU): 4055. 1979. Bibcode:1979JGR....84.4055W. doi:10.1029/jb084ib08p04055. ISSN 0148-0227.
SEASAT Satellite Radar Altimetry Data Processing System (Technical report). Dahlgren, VA: Naval Surface Weapons Center. May 1981. NSWC TR 81-234, DTIC ADA115972 – via Defense Technical Information Center.
"Mean Earth ellipsoid determined from SEASAT 1 altimetric observations". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 87 (B7). American Geophysical Union (AGU): 5538–5540. July 10, 1982. Bibcode:1982JGR....87.5538W. doi:10.1029/jb087ib07p05538. ISSN 0148-0227.
Data Processing System Specifications for the GEOSAT Satellite Radar Altimeter (Technical report). Dahlgren VA: Naval Surface Weapons Center. NSWC TR 86-149, DTIC ADA181113 – via Defense Technical Information Center.
See also[edit]
Irene Fischer
List of African-American women in STEM fields
References[edit]

^ Matthias, Meg (October 23, 2023). "Gladys West | Biography, Accomplishments, Hidden Figure, GPS, Mathematician, & Facts". Britannica.

^ a b c d e f g h i j Dyson, Cathy (January 19, 2018). "Gladys West's work on GPS 'would impact the world'". The Free Lance Star, Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved February 9, 2018. Also printed as: Stamford Advocate Archived 22 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine; Washington Post 2018-02-01 Archived 7 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine

^ "WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 25TH ANNUAL WEBBY AWARDS" (Press release). Webby awards. Retrieved January 10, 2022.

^ Grein, Paul (May 18, 2021). "BTS, Dua Lipa & More Lead 2021 Webby Awards Winners". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2022.

^ a b c Hayes, Jaron (June 19, 2015). "Boomtown Discussion Draws Crowd for Dahlgren Museum Series". South Potomac Pilot. p. 1. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2018.

^ a b c d e f g h Kinkade, Daniel (May 3, 2019). "Destination on Right: the Influence of Dr. Gladys West". Gideons International. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

^ a b c d e f g Butterly, Amelia (May 20, 2018). "Gladys West – the 'hidden figure' of GPS". BBC News Online. BBC 100 Women 2018.

^ a b c Mohdin, Aamna (November 19, 2020). "Gladys West: the hidden figure who helped invent GPS". The Guardian. Retrieved November 20, 2020.

^ a b c West, Gladys B.; Jackson, M.H. (2020). It began with a dream. King George, Virginia: IGWEST Publishing. pp. 55–138. ISBN 978-0-578-67638-8.

^ a b c Lane, Derrick (December 18, 2018). "Dr. Gladys West: The Black Woman Behind GPS Technology". BlackDoctor.org. Retrieved March 17, 2019.

^ a b West, Gladys B. (June 1986). "Data Processing System Specifications for the Geosat Satellite Radar Altimeter" (PDF). Naval Surface Weapons Center, Report NSWC TR 86-149. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 6, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2018.

^ "Forum to Recount Impact of the War Years on Dahlgren and Region". Dahlgren Museum. June 11, 2015. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2018.

^ a b c Air Force Space Command Public Affairs (December 7, 2018). "Mathematician inducted into Space and Missiles Pioneers Hall of Fame". Air Force Space Command. Archived from the original on June 3, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.

^ "Seasat". www.jpl.nasa.gov. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved February 9, 2018.

^ "NASA – NSSDCA – Spacecraft – Details". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved February 9, 2018.

^ Riley, Ricky (February 7, 2018). "Celebrate Black History Month: When you use your GPS, remember Gladys West". The Atlanta Voice | Atlanta GA News. Retrieved February 9, 2018.

^ "Meet Gladys West: One of the 'Hidden Figures' behind the creation of GPS System". Because of Them, We Can. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.

^ Hayes, Luke; Jefferies, Dawn (October 25, 2023). "Mathematician Gladys West '00 paves the way for GPS". Virginia Tech News. Retrieved March 24, 2024.

^ "Hidden Figure | Mathematician who helped develop GPS technology inducted into Air Force hall of fame". Colorado Springs Gazette. December 19, 2019. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2019 – via 9News.

^ Glorfeld, Jeff (October 14, 2019). "Science History: Gladys West maps the future". Cosmos. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

^ Capt. Godfrey Weekes, in a 2017 message about Black History Month, as quoted by Dyson (2018).

^ Contributed Report (May 29, 2018). "VSU finalist in nine HBCU Award categories". The Progress-Index. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2025.

^ Ship, Chris (June 10, 2021). "Princess Anne remembers 'inquisitive' Prince Philip on day he would have been 100". ITV News. Retrieved June 10, 2021.

^ "'Hidden Figure' whose mathematical modelling enabled GPS becomes first woman to win the Prince Philip Medal". Royal Academy of Engineering. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.

^ Uphaus, Adele (August 6, 2024). "City School Board Hears Accreditation Predictions". FXBG Advance. Retrieved August 29, 2024.

^ "Ira V. West". Bennett Brooks Funeral Home. Retrieved December 23, 2024.

^ a b West, Gladys B. (June 17, 2020). It Began With a Dream. M. H. Jackson. King George: IGWEST. ISBN 978-0-578-67638-8. OCLC 1193325232.

^ Nelsen, R. Arvid (2017). "Race and Computing: The Problem of Sources, the Potential of Prosopography, and the Lesson of Ebony Magazine". IEEE Annals of the History of Computing. 39 (1): 29–51. doi:10.1109/MAHC.2016.11. S2CID 6992544.

^ Kenney, Tanasia (February 4, 2018). "Meet Gladys West, The Black Female Engineer Who Played a 'Pivotal' Role In Developing the GPS". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved March 17, 2019.

^ https://thezebra.org/2026/01/18/dr-gladys-west-mathematician-whose-work-made-gps-possible-dies-at-95/

Further reading and external links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gladys West.

Handcock, Katherine (May 23, 2019). "Dr. Gladys West: The 'Hidden Figure' who pioneered GPS technology". A Mighty Girl. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
Authority control databases InternationalVIAFNationalUnited StatesIsraelAcademicsScopuszbMATHMathSciNetOtherYale LUX

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gladys_West&oldid=1333715070"
Categories: 1930 births20th-century African-American people20th-century African-American women20th-century American mathematicians20th-century American scientists20th-century American women mathematicians20th-century American women scientists21st-century African-American scientists21st-century African-American womenAfrican-American computer scientistsAfrican-American mathematiciansAfrican-American women mathematiciansAmerican computer programmersAmerican computer scientistsAmerican geodesistsAmerican women computer scientists2026 deathsMathematicians from VirginiaPeople associated with the Global Positioning SystemPeople from Dinwiddie County, VirginiaPeople from King George County, VirginiaUniversity of Oklahoma alumniVirginia State University alumniVirginia Tech alumniHidden categories: Webarchive template wayback linksArticles with short descriptionShort description is different from WikidataUse mdy dates from March 2023Articles with hCardsArticles containing potentially dated statements from February 2018All articles containing potentially dated statementsCommons category link from Wikidata

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Gladys West

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Gladys Mae West, born on October 27, 1930, in Sutherland, Virginia, was an American mathematician whose pioneering work in satellite geodesy significantly influenced the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Raised in a Black farming family in Dinwiddie County, a rural area south of Richmond, West’s early life was marked by the challenges of systemic racism and economic hardship. Despite these obstacles, she viewed education as a pathway to opportunity. Her academic journey began at Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), where she graduated as valedictorian in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, the first of many milestones. The top two students from each class received full scholarships, and West’s academic excellence secured her a place at the historically Black institution. She later earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Virginia State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma, while also teaching high school math and science in Virginia. Her career trajectory reflected a commitment to both education and innovation, setting the stage for her groundbreaking contributions to computational science.

West’s professional journey began in 1956 when she joined the Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Virginia (later renamed the Naval Surface Warfare Center). She was among the first Black women hired there and one of only four Black employees, a testament to her resilience in navigating a predominantly white, male-dominated field. Initially working as a computer programmer, she quickly rose to prominence as a project manager for satellite data analysis systems. Her role in the 1960s involved analyzing satellite altimeter data from NASA’s Geodetic Earth Orbiting program, a project that aimed to create precise models of the Earth’s shape. This work laid the foundation for her later contributions to satellite geodesy, a discipline focused on measuring and understanding the Earth’s geometric shape, gravitational field, and orientation in space. In 1972, she managed the Seasat radar altimetry project, a short-lived but revolutionary initiative that marked the first satellite capable of remotely sensing ocean surfaces. West’s ability to streamline data processing and improve analytical efficiency earned her recognition, including a commendation for her work on the project.

From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, West’s focus shifted to refining computational models of the Earth’s geoid—a mathematical representation of the planet’s irregular shape influenced by gravitational anomalies and tidal forces. She programmed an IBM 7030 Stretch computer to generate increasingly accurate calculations, which were critical for the development of GPS technology. Her work involved devising complex algorithms to account for variations in gravitational and tidal forces, ensuring the precision of geopotential models. In 1986, she published a technical report titled *Data Processing System Specifications for the Geosat Satellite Radar Altimeter*, which detailed methods to enhance geoid height accuracy and vertical deflection measurements. This research, based on data from the Geosat satellite launched in 1984, advanced the field of satellite geodesy and provided foundational data for GPS applications. West’s expertise in integrating computational methods with geodetic science positioned her as a key figure in the technological advancements of the late 20th century.

West’s career at Dahlgren spanned four decades, during which she retired in 1998. She continued her academic pursuits, earning a PhD in Public Administration from Virginia Tech via distance learning in 2000. Her contributions to science and technology were acknowledged through various honors, including induction into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018. The Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) highlighted her role as part of the “Hidden Figures” team, a nod to Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 book and its film adaptation, which celebrated the overlooked contributions of Black women in NASA’s early space program. Capt. Godfrey Weekes, a naval officer at the Dahlgren Division, emphasized West’s impact on GPS accuracy and data measurement, noting that her work in the 1950s likely exceeded her expectations for its long-term influence. West herself reflected on the nature of her work, stating that she focused on precision rather than immediate global implications, a perspective underscoring the often-unseen labor behind technological progress.

Beyond her professional achievements, West’s legacy is intertwined with broader social and cultural narratives. As an alumna of Virginia State University, she received the “Female Alumna of the Year” award in 2018 at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Awards. Her recognition extended internationally, including a 2018 feature in the BBC’s 100 Women list and the 2021 Prince Philip Medal from the Royal Academy of Engineering, its highest individual honor. In 2024, Virginia’s Fredericksburg City School Board named its third elementary school after her, a symbolic acknowledgment of her contributions to science and education. West’s life also intersected with the Civil Rights Movement, though her role as a government employee limited her direct participation in protests. Instead, she engaged in discussions about civil rights within her community, reflecting the nuanced challenges faced by Black professionals during that era.

West’s personal life included a marriage to Ira West, also a mathematician at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, and three children. She maintained a preference for paper maps over GPS navigation systems, citing her hands-on approach to problem-solving and trust in traditional methods. This detail, while seemingly minor, highlights her enduring connection to practical, tangible solutions amid rapid technological advancement. Her husband’s death in 2024 marked the end of a long partnership, and West passed away on January 17, 2026, at the age of 95. Her final years were spent in George County, Virginia, where she remained a figure of quiet determination and intellectual rigor.

The article also highlights West’s publications, which include technical reports on satellite radar altimetry and geodetic modeling. These works, such as the 1979 study on smoothing Geos 3 satellite data and the 1981 *SEASAT Satellite Radar Altimetry Data Processing System*, underscore her methodological contributions to geodetic science. Her research not only advanced the accuracy of Earth measurement but also provided critical data for applications ranging from navigation to climate monitoring. The complexity of her work, involving intricate algorithms and computational challenges, illustrates the intersection of mathematics and engineering in shaping modern technology.

West’s story is a testament to perseverance in the face of systemic barriers. As an African-American woman in STEM during the mid-20th century, she navigated a landscape marked by racial and gender discrimination. Despite these challenges, her technical expertise and dedication enabled her to influence one of the most transformative technologies of the modern era. Her recognition as a “Hidden Figure” has brought overdue attention to her role, yet her contributions remain emblematic of the many unsung pioneers whose work underpins technological progress. The narrative of her life, as detailed in the Wikipedia article, serves as both a historical record and an inspiration for future generations of scientists and engineers.

In summary, Gladys West’s career exemplifies the power of education, resilience, and innovation. From her early days on a Virginia farm to her pivotal role in shaping GPS technology, her journey reflects the broader struggles and triumphs of Black women in science. Her legacy endures not only in the precision of global navigation systems but also in the recognition of her contributions to a field that continues to evolve. The detailed accounts of her work, challenges, and achievements provide a comprehensive portrait of a mathematician whose influence extends far beyond the confines of her time.