Where did Glady West grow up?

West was born as Gladys Mae Brown in Sutherland, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County, a rural county south of Richmond. Her family was an African-American farming family in a community of sharecroppers. She spent much of her childhood working on her family’s small farm.

When was Gladys West born?

Gladys West

What are some fun facts about Gladys West?

She was the second Black woman to be hired at the base and was one of only four Black employees. West was admired for her ability to solve complex mathematical equations. She eventually transitioned from solving the equations herself to programming computers.

Who owns the GPS system?

GPS is operated and maintained by the Department of Defense (DoD).