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Dr. Gladys West, the Black mathematician whose brilliance made GPS possible, has passed at 95. Born on a Dinwiddie County farm during the Great Depression, she overcame segregation to become a scientist and map the world—literally. May we never forget her legacy or the path she paved for generations... show more

Ben Crump

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259,115 views • 6 months ago •via X (Twitter)

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GPS pioneer and mathematician Gladys West has died. She was 95. Her calculations helped produce extremely accurate modeling of the Earth's shape, laying the foundation for modern global positioning system technology. West was born in rural Virginia during segregation. In 1956, she was hired as a computer programmer at a Navy base in Virginia, where she was one of only four Black employees. Her work went largely unrecognized for years, though she was later acknowledged as one of the hidden figures of the era. Despite being considered the mother of GPS, West said she still preferred using a paper map when driving.

GPS pioneer and mathematician Gladys West has died. She was 95. Her calculations helped produce extremely accurate modeling of the Earth's shape, laying the foundation for modern global positioning system technology. West was born in rural Virginia during segregation. In 1956, she was hired as a computer programmer at a Navy base in Virginia, where she was one of only four Black employees. Her work went largely unrecognized for years, though she was later acknowledged as one of the hidden figures of the era. Despite being considered the mother of GPS, West said she still preferred using a paper map when driving.

PBS News

115,382 views • 6 months ago

She didn’t invent a gadget — she built the math that guides the modern world. From a tobacco farm to the Pentagon, her work powers Google Maps, airplanes, ships, Uber, and every GPS you use. Her name is Gladys West — the genius history tried to erase.

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Living Tricks

37,879 views • 7 months ago

This weekend my blood sister Cynthia West McDaniel passed with the grace and dignity she exemplified in her blessed life! She was a great inspiration to all of us to the very end! We shall never forget her!

This weekend my blood sister Cynthia West McDaniel passed with the grace and dignity she exemplified in her blessed life! She was a great inspiration to all of us to the very end! We shall never forget her!

Cornel West

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At 15, Dorothy Counts walked through hate to become the first Black student to integrate Harding High in Charlotte, NC, in 1957. She held her head high, and her courage shattered barriers and lit the path for generations. We must always honor her bravery.

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111,805 views • 1 year ago

The plight of a mother of eight, whose 20-year old first born son has become a constant source of heartache and pain. She narrates her ordeal at the hands of her son, who has set out to torment her life over her inability to buy him a smart phone, in addition to renting a house for him.

The plight of a mother of eight, whose 20-year old first born son has become a constant source of heartache and pain. She narrates her ordeal at the hands of her son, who has set out to torment her life over her inability to buy him a smart phone, in addition to renting a house for him.

SIKAOFFICIAL🦍

210,498 views • 1 year ago

tears rolling down her face as she accepts video of the year at the VMAs and announces born this way to the world, I will NEVER forget this moment

tears rolling down her face as she accepts video of the year at the VMAs and announces born this way to the world, I will NEVER forget this moment

mons†erdaily (but make it MⱯYHEM 👹⛓️)

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🎥 Celebrating Vera Rubin, whose work on dark matter changed our understanding of the universe. Though she was denied a Nobel, her legacy lives on in the Vera Rubin Observatory and the generations of researchers she inspired. Carnegie Science

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Scientific American

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Sally Ride was a brilliant, courageous physicist who paved the way for every woman astronaut. In honor of the anniversary of her first launch, we recognize her legacy and the doors she opened for women in science — and especially at NASA.

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22,209 views • 1 month ago

Congratulations to Nikhat Zareen for her spectacular victory at the World Boxing Championships and winning a Gold. She is an outstanding champion whose success has made India proud on many occasions.

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Narendra Modi

2,256,653 views • 3 years ago

Nothing's your fault, it's everyone else's fault for allowing you in. She's a refugee,,, because it 'was so bad', and she literally brings the exact same behavior with her to the West. Bring the 3rd world in, become the 3rd world—never rang more true than right here.

Nothing's your fault, it's everyone else's fault for allowing you in. She's a refugee,,, because it 'was so bad', and she literally brings the exact same behavior with her to the West. Bring the 3rd world in, become the 3rd world—never rang more true than right here.

Dane

33,496 views • 8 months ago

Wind in Her Hair At 35 years of age, she stands as a living legend, a queen whose legacy continues to run in the hearts and hooves of champions. May she be honored, remembered, and cherished, today and always.

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109,709 views • 7 months ago

“I do in fact hope she never works a regular job again. That is literally my goal for the rest of her life that she’s on this earth.” “I hope that she is begging on the street corner for change. “Or maybe she has to sell her body to make ends meet.” “I pray for the absolute worst possible outcome for her life humanly possible.” “I’m going to do whatever I can to make that happen.”

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“I do in fact hope she never works a regular job again. That is literally my goal for the rest of her life that she’s on this earth.” “I hope that she is begging on the street corner for change. “Or maybe she has to sell her body to make ends meet.” “I pray for the absolute worst possible outcome for her life humanly possible.” “I’m going to do whatever I can to make that happen.”

The old M can’t come to the phone right now

29,019 views • 4 months ago

UPDATE: "CatMomTM" finally SPOKE OUT saying that she didn't know that the world was still up and public. She also stated that she gave people "tours" around the map all the way up till last year at which she was 22 years old(map created at 16/17 years old), to show people the trauma that she has been through. Her statements were seen as invalid as some bystanders that knew and confronted her about this in the past provided a clip of her in the past stating her reasons for keeping the map up due to her becoming "popular" because of it and that she actually planned on NEVER deleting her "child s*x dungeon" map in the first place 👀

UPDATE: "CatMomTM" finally SPOKE OUT saying that she didn't know that the world was still up and public. She also stated that she gave people "tours" around the map all the way up till last year at which she was 22 years old(map created at 16/17 years old), to show people the trauma that she has been through. Her statements were seen as invalid as some bystanders that knew and confronted her about this in the past provided a clip of her in the past stating her reasons for keeping the map up due to her becoming "popular" because of it and that she actually planned on NEVER deleting her "child s*x dungeon" map in the first place 👀

TypedKid

184,971 views • 1 month ago

Hearty congratulations to Jaya Badiga Garu on becoming the first female Judge in California - USA. I am thrilled at how she has derived great pleasure in acknowledging her roots, Telugu culture and invoked our Upanishads. She has truly made all Telugus proud with her accomplishment. May she scale greater heights in time to come and inspire many more to tread the path.💐 It is a matter of personal joy that she happens to be the daughter of a family friend Shri.Badiga Ramakrishna garu.🙏

Hearty congratulations to Jaya Badiga Garu on becoming the first female Judge in California - USA. I am thrilled at how she has derived great pleasure in acknowledging her roots, Telugu culture and invoked our Upanishads. She has truly made all Telugus proud with her accomplishment. May she scale greater heights in time to come and inspire many more to tread the path.💐 It is a matter of personal joy that she happens to be the daughter of a family friend Shri.Badiga Ramakrishna garu.🙏

Chiranjeevi Konidela

305,792 views • 2 years ago

Kiki Shepard, the beloved co-host of Showtime at the Apollo, has passed away at 74. In the 1980's at a time where women of color were rarely centered on television she stood as a symbol of elegance, glam, excellence, and cultural pride. A Howard University graduate who finished in the top 10% of her class and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Shepard carried the legacy of Black excellence with her wherever she went. Kiki Shepard leaves behind a legacy that is both timeless and deeply felt. #KikiShepard #BETRemembers

Kiki Shepard, the beloved co-host of Showtime at the Apollo, has passed away at 74. In the 1980's at a time where women of color were rarely centered on television she stood as a symbol of elegance, glam, excellence, and cultural pride. A Howard University graduate who finished in the top 10% of her class and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Shepard carried the legacy of Black excellence with her wherever she went. Kiki Shepard leaves behind a legacy that is both timeless and deeply felt. #KikiShepard #BETRemembers

BET

23,410 views • 4 months ago

It’s great to see Morgan State University and the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum honor Henrietta Lacks, the Black woman whose immortal cells changed the world — without her consent. Her legacy is a reminder of both injustice and resilience. We must honor her this #WomensHistoryMonth and beyond! 🎥: Kenneth Lam, The Baltimore Sun

It’s great to see Morgan State University and the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum honor Henrietta Lacks, the Black woman whose immortal cells changed the world — without her consent. Her legacy is a reminder of both injustice and resilience. We must honor her this #WomensHistoryMonth and beyond! 🎥: Kenneth Lam, The Baltimore Sun

Ben Crump

32,642 views • 1 year ago

WWF joins the world in mourning the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall, a voice of hope, compassion, and courage for our planet. She reminded us that when we come together, we can shape a better future for people, wildlife, and the natural world we share. Let’s celebrate her life and honour her legacy with the same determination and love she lived by. Together, we can carry her vision forward. #JaneGoodall #ForNature #TogetherPossible

WWF joins the world in mourning the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall, a voice of hope, compassion, and courage for our planet. She reminded us that when we come together, we can shape a better future for people, wildlife, and the natural world we share. Let’s celebrate her life and honour her legacy with the same determination and love she lived by. Together, we can carry her vision forward. #JaneGoodall #ForNature #TogetherPossible

WWF

59,295 views • 10 months ago

The Ghost of War Memorial will forever haunt Governor Susan Kihika and rightfully so! We will never forget how during her reign she made it so that one of the most effective hospitals in Nakuru county closed down indefinitely whilst she mismanaged health sector in Nakuru County! Thank you Sen Sifuna for holding her accountable in Senate Today! #SisiNdioSifuna

The Ghost of War Memorial will forever haunt Governor Susan Kihika and rightfully so! We will never forget how during her reign she made it so that one of the most effective hospitals in Nakuru county closed down indefinitely whilst she mismanaged health sector in Nakuru County! Thank you Sen Sifuna for holding her accountable in Senate Today! #SisiNdioSifuna

AbbieZuena

192,720 views • 1 month ago