Gladys Mae West’s name may not be as well-known as the technology she helped create, but her contributions to the Global Positioning System (GPS) are indispensable to the world we live in today. As a trailblazer who worked behind the scenes, West used her intellect and determination to revolutionise global navigation, changing the way we understand and navigate the world. Her story is one of perseverance against the odds, where sheer brilliance transcended the societal limits of race and gender.
Her legacy is not just about mathematics—it’s about resilience, breaking barriers, and using education as a tool for transformation. West’s life reminds us that some of the most profound innovations emerge not from the loudest voices, but from the quiet, determined ones who refuse to be overlooked.
From the Fields to the Stars
Born on 27 October 1930, in Sutherland, Virginia, a rural area in Dinwiddie County, West spent her early years on a farm, picking cotton, tobacco, and corn. Despite the hardships of rural life in a segregated South, it was here that West’s natural talent for mathematics was recognised. Her teachers encouraged her intellectual curiosity, urging her to pursue a path beyond the confines of farm life. As valedictorian of her high school class, West earned a full scholarship to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), where she earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1952.
However, the road ahead was far from easy. In the 1950s, it was rare for a Black woman to be recognised for her academic prowess, especially in fields dominated by white men. West faced rejection from several government institutions, yet her determination remained unshaken. While teaching in Martinsville, Virginia, she continued her graduate studies, earning a master’s degree in mathematics in 1955.
Breaking Barriers at Dahlgren
West’s perseverance eventually led to an opportunity at the U.S. Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren, Virginia. Initially hesitant to accept the offer due to the remote location and her fear of rejection, West ultimately took the job—offered without an interview and with twice the salary of her teaching position. This rare opportunity, based solely on her qualifications, would provide the foundation for a career that would change the world.
At Dahlgren, West was the second Black woman and the fourth Black employee, marking a significant milestone in an era when both racial and gender barriers were still firmly entrenched. It was here that West would help lay the groundwork for GPS technology—a system that would go on to transform every aspect of modern life, from navigation to communication.
The GPS Legacy: Mapping Earth’s Shape
West’s work on satellite orbits and the mathematical modelling of Earth’s shape was pivotal in developing the geoid model, which serves as the foundation for determining accurate positioning via GPS. Her work with satellite data and geodesy allowed for the accurate positioning systems we rely on today. The geoid, a mathematical representation of the Earth’s shape, underpins GPS by allowing the accurate measurement of position, altitude, and speed anywhere on the planet.
In 1978, West’s leadership in the SEASAT project—the first Earth-orbiting satellite designed to map the oceans—produced critical data for future satellite systems. This data led to the creation of the GEOSAT satellite, which refined Earth’s gravity models and provided crucial insights that improved GPS accuracy. In 1986, West published a guide on how to use GEOSAT data to calculate geoid heights with remarkable precision—an achievement that would prove vital for the development of today’s GPS systems.
Recognition and Legacy
Despite her monumental contributions, Dr. West’s work was largely uncelebrated for much of her career. In an environment where African Americans and women were often sidelined, West’s efforts were overshadowed by the more famous names in the field. Yet, in the quiet determination of her work, West’s brilliance shone through. Her life is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity, as she not only advanced technology but also paved the way for others in STEM fields.
West’s vital contributions to GPS technology were recognised when a member of her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha read a short biography West had submitted for an alumni function. In 2018, West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame, one of the highest honours bestowed by Air Force Space Command. 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 Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, later adapted into a film. Capt. Godfrey Weekes, commanding officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, described West’s role: “She rose through the ranks, worked on the satellite geodesy, and contributed to the accuracy of GPS…”
As an alumna of Virginia State University, West was awarded “Female Alumna of the Year” at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Awards in 2018. In the same year, she was also selected by the BBC as part of their 100 Women of 2018 and, in 2021, received the Prince Philip Medal from the Royal Academy of Engineering—the highest individual honour from the UK’s Academy.
In 2024, the Fredericksburg City School Board voted to name its third elementary school in her honour: Gladys West Elementary School.
Personal Life and Impact
West met her husband, Ira West, 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. Married in 1957, they raised three children—Carolyn, David, and Michael—and have seven grandchildren. The West family went to chapel every Sunday at the Proving Ground, strengthening their bond as a family and community.
Before being hired at Dahlgren, West initially turned down the job due to its remote location and the need to interview. Not having a car and unable to locate Dahlgren on a map, she was uncertain about the possibility of rejection because of her race. The opportunity was offered again, without the interview, and with twice the salary of her teaching position. Being hired on the basis of her qualifications was a rare achievement for a Black woman at the time.
In 1954, following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, Virginia remained segregated. As a result, West moved to a rural, segregated southern state, a daunting prospect for an unmarried Black woman, particularly when groups like the Ku Klux Klan were still active. Although she supported the Civil Rights Movement, as a government employee, West could not participate in protests. Yet, she played an important role in conversations about civil rights through her involvement in a club of Black women at the base.
During her career, West encountered many hardships due to racial prejudice. Her contributions were often overlooked, with her white colleagues receiving praise and added privileges. She expressed disappointment in being excluded from projects that would have given her exposure and the chance to travel—an experience denied to many Black professionals of the time.
Even today, West continues to prefer using paper maps over GPS, 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.”
Sadly, her husband, Ira West, passed away on 20 October 2024.