Dr. Gladys West
Dr. Gladys West is a pioneering African American mathematician whose work was instrumental in the development of GPS technology. Born in 1930 in Sutherland, Virginia, West excelled in mathematics and earned a degree in the field, eventually joining the U.S. Navy's Dahlgren Naval Surface Warfare Center in 1956. Her expertise in mathematical modeling and satellite data processing led to the creation of accurate geoid models, which are foundational to the Global Positioning System (GPS). West's contributions, once overlooked, have since been recognized as vital to modern navigation. Her legacy highlights the critical role of African American women in advancing science and technology.
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