Gladys West

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Dr. Gladys West

American Mathematican

Growing up on her family's farm, Gladys West told herself that there was more out there for her. She promised herself she'd attend college, and with hard work, she became valedictorian of her high school and received a full scholarship to Virginia State University. 

West majored in mathematics and started working at Naval Surface Warfare Center, where she was one of only four Black employees. West used what she learned from satellites to create a mathematical model of Earth. This research would later be used to create the modern-day Global Positioning System (GPS).

Click here to link to Britannica and learn more about Dr. West.