Sutherland, Virginia (October 27, 1930 – January 17, 2026) 95 yrs

Dr. Gladys West, born Gladys Mae Brown, educator and mathematician, known for her contributions on the development of Global Positioning Systems (GPS). She was inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame during a ceremony in her honor at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.,  in 2018. West was among the so-called “Hidden Figures” part of the team who did computing for the U.S. military in the era before electronic systems. The Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame is one of Air Force’s Space Commands Highest Honors. During her career, West encountered many hardships because of racism against African Americans. A prime example was the lack of recognition she received while working. Her white coworkers received praise and added privileges. Her biography makes clear her disappointment at not being granted projects that included travel and exposure.