The Legacy of Dr. Gladys West: The Hidden Figure Behind GPS

Dr. Gladys West was born in Sutherland, Virginia, in 1930, during a time of significant racial and gender barriers in education and science. Despite these obstacles, she excelled in mathematics and earned a scholarship to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), an HBCU, where she graduated with a degree in mathematics.

Determined to push further, she later earned a master’s degree in mathematics and ultimately a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Virginia Tech.

Breaking Barriers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center

In 1956, Dr. West became one of the first Black women hired at the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia. Working as a mathematician, she specialized in complex calculations that laid the groundwork for what would later become the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Her work involved programming early computers to analyze satellite data and model the Earth’s shape with extreme precision—critical for accurate GPS mapping.

The Hidden Figure in GPS Development

Dr. West’s groundbreaking contributions came through geodesy, the science of measuring Earth’s shape and gravitational field. Her mathematical modeling helped refine satellite accuracy, allowing GPS to become the indispensable technology we rely on today.

Though she worked behind the scenes, her efforts shaped modern navigation, guiding everything from smartphones to emergency services and military operations.

Recognition and Legacy

For decades, Dr. West’s role remained largely unrecognized. However, in 2018, she was finally acknowledged for her contributions when the U.S. Air Force inducted her into the Hall of Fame. In 2021, she received a Prince Philip Medal from the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering, becoming the first woman to do so.

Even in retirement, Dr. West continues to advocate for education and inspires young Black women to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s honor Dr. Gladys West—not just for her scientific achievements, but for breaking barriers in a field where Black women were rarely seen. Her contributions continue to impact the world, proving that hidden figures deserve their place in history.