Virginia native Gladys West, whose work enabled GPS, died at 95

Dr. Gladys West, a pioneering mathematician who played a crucial role in developing the technology behind GPS, passed away at 95. Born into poverty in Virginia, West overcame significant challenges to earn degrees in mathematics and become one of the first African American women to work at the Naval Surface Warfare Center. Her work on accurately modeling the Earth's shape was foundational to the creation of GPS, which is now integral to global navigation and daily life.