Gladys Mae West, the pioneering African American mathematician whose work laid the foundation for the Global Positioning System (GPS), has passed away at the age of 95. Often described as one of the military's "hidden figures," West's extraordinary contributions transformed satellite navigation and reshaped the modern world-quietly, precisely, and without fanfare.
Born on October 27, 1930, in Sutherland, Virginia, West grew up in a rural sharecropping community where education was viewed as both escape and calling. A valedictorian of her high school class, she earned a scholarship to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), setting her on a path few could have imagined at the time.
West went on to work at the U.S. Naval Proving Ground (later the Naval Surface Warfare Center), where during the 1970s and 1980s she specialized in mathematical modeling of the Earth's shape. Her work-marked by extreme precision and computational rigor-was essential to correcting satellite orbits and refining geodetic models, making GPS accuracy possible for both military and civilian use worldwide.
Beyond her technical brilliance, colleagues and admirers consistently noted West's deep humility, discipline, and sense of purpose. Though she rarely centered herself in public narratives, West often spoke about perseverance, gratitude, and service-values shaped by her upbringing and sustained by a quiet but enduring faith. Those close to her have described her as someone who viewed her intellect not as self-made achievement, but as a responsibility: to work diligently, remain teachable, and give back through excellence.
That posture of lifelong learning defined her well into later life. At age 70, West earned a Ph.D. in public administration and policy affairs from Virginia Tech-an achievement she framed not as a personal triumph, but as a testament to persistence and the belief that it is never too late to grow, contribute, or serve.
In recent years, West finally received broader recognition for her work, becoming a symbol of overlooked brilliance and a beacon for young women-especially women of color-entering STEM fields. Yet even in honor, she remained characteristically grounded, redirecting attention toward education, opportunity, and the importance of preparation meeting purpose.
Gladys Mae West leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond satellites and screens. Every navigation app, emergency response, and global connection that depends on GPS bears the imprint of her work. More quietly, her life testifies to what can emerge from faith, discipline, and steadfast obedience to one's calling-even when the world is slow to notice.
She was 95 years old.
