![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() West, from her determined pursuit of education, through her distinguished career at Dahlgren, to her continuing efforts to inspire young STEM students. This panel conversation will explore the life and legacy of Dr. As one of her colleagues noted, “Her competence, not her color, defined her.” Her work contributed to numerous projects, including GPS and SEASAT, the first satellite to map oceans from space. Specializing in the field of satellite geodesy-the science of measuring the shape and size of the earth from space-she created algorithms and programs for analyzing satellite data using early super computers. West arrived at Dahlgren in 1956, she was only one of four African Americans at the lab, and only the second woman. was one of the leaders in our area and Dr. ![]() Like many “hidden figures” in the defense and aerospace industries, West had to overcome the prevailing racism and sexism of the day, and her contributions went largely unrecognized until recently. Gladys West is one of many Black women whose contributions to science went unrecognized because of her race and gender. Im Gladys West I came to Dahlgren in January of 1956 which is a long time ago. 1930), a mathematician who helped develop GPS technology while working at the Dahlgren Naval Surface Weapons Center for more than 40 years. This is Feb 2, 7:30 pm in Dodd Auditorium, GW Hall, no charge for entry! Gladys West, who worked on early GPS and geodesy at the Dahlgren Naval Weapons Center! Gladys West: The Hidden Figure Behind GPS Technology. GRAVES, SR.I recommend that Geography and GIS students attend this Great Lives panel presentation, about Dr. Gladys West was inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame, proving her remarkable impact on science and the Air Force space program. Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide.Honoring Juneteenth sponsored by Fidelity.The Future of Financial Services Summit.Profiles of Principled Entrepreneurship.Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase.100 Founders of Change by American Express.Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series.As Gladys West started her career as a mathematician at Dahlgren in 1956, she likely had no idea that her work would impact the world for decades to come.” “She rose through the ranks, worked on the satellite geodesy (science that measures the size and shape of Earth) and contributed to the accuracy of GPS and the measurement of satellite data. Godfrey Weekes, a former officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, in a message he wrote about Black History Month last year. West’s diligence and efficiency earned her recognition by her supervisor who recommended her for a commendation in 1979. Although the work was tedious, West told The AP that she “was ecstatic” about the opportunity “to work with some of the greatest scientists.” She worked long days and nights recording satellite locations and on complex calculations. Gladys West, at the age of 87, was finally recognized and inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame, by the United States Airforce. She made her way from a one-room school-house to getting her Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Arts, and a Master of Science degree as well as her Ph.D. During her stint, she collected location data from orbiting machines and input the data into giant supercomputers, while using early computer software to analyze surface elevations. West is a Virginia native, born south of Richmond in Dinwiddie County. She then became the second black woman to join the Dahlgren, Virginia, naval base in 1956, where she was one of only four black employees. After graduating from Virginia State University on a full academic scholarship, West began working as a math teacher for two years in Sussex County before obtaining her master’s degree. ![]()
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