![]() ![]() It’s unfortunate that figures such as Gladys West fall behind the pages of history, but we have them to thank. Gladys West would enter the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame, a prestigious tribute for a woman for whom it is well deserved. This would also be the same year that the Navy’s GPS pioneer Dr. This would earn her the distinction of Dr. in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech through its distance-learning program in 2018. Sadly, on a warm summer day, Gladys West’s family would gather around her bed as she peacefully pas… wait a minute…no she didn’t, she’s still alive! Why do people keep asking about this!? This wonderful woman is still alive, aging gracefully, and has even continued her education! This came along with dealing with hostile environments during the Civil Rights Movement, racism/sexism during her career, and a lack of recognition because of these prejudices.ĭo you want to know what GPS stands for? Perseverance, triumph, and genius, even when the odds are stacked against you. She was also only the fourth Black employee in the Dahlgren, Virginia laboratory. ![]() The installation is responsible for research and development for innovative projects. Air Force, which existed during West’s time working at the U.S. The USSF is the newest branch of the Armed Forces, which is ultimately an extension of the U.S. Space Force is tasked with securing such communications. government and continues to be secured and operated by the American Armed Forces. GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Without her genius and that of other brilliant minds, getting around would have us all looking like New York City tourists with maps and highlighters. If you’ve ever been on a road trip, lost in the city, looking up a hotspot to eat, or anything else that involves mapping out a destination since the mid-2000s, you owe Dr. Ultimately, Gladys West helped invent the GPS, and again, it’s an invention we all use near every day. But Gladys West knew, and she used her wonderful brain to help the Department of Defense (DoD) accomplish its goals, which would go on to help both our military and civilians worldwide. Complex algorithms and a bunch of other stuff I’m not qualified to talk about. The computers and technology we all use revolve around mathematics. Thankful for calculators and happy to know that there are others who have a better understanding of math to solve the world’s problems. To others, it’s a bit more abstract, and while it may be important… bro who cares?! To some, it’s a masterful subject that makes sense and completes the universe. More like this: Meet Annie Easley, the Woman Behind the Centaur Rocket How Did Gladys West Impact the World? GPS is an important component of the military and our everyday lives, and one of the people who did the math to make it possible doesn’t get enough credit. So, it’s a bit appalling that one of the key people behind the technology that makes this happen, Ms. ![]() For example, with all due respect to Samuel Morse, I’ve never used Morse code in my life because it’s the 21st century.īut how many times have you used an app or device in your vehicle to tell you where you are? I know that even if I know where to go, the traffic patterns, potential wrecks, and general variables when traveling are more than enough to have me looking for a map app of some sort to get me where I need to go. There are many different individuals that have not gotten the spotlight, recognition, and general fair share they deserve, even when their contributions have been substantial. Too often, women, especially women of color, are lost in the fabric of history. You may not hear the name Gladys West very often, but you should. ![]()
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