West, Gladys Mae, 1930-2026

Gladys Mae West (born Gladys Mae Brown, October 27, 1930, Sutherland, Virginia – January 17, 2026), American mathematician. She was known for her contributions to mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models, that were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS).

West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018. She was awarded the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award for the development of satellite geodesy models.