Gladys West entered on duty as a mathematician at the U.S. Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren, VA, becoming only the second Black woman hired there as a professional.
On June 27, 1956, Gladys Mae Brown began her federal career as a mathematician at the U.S. Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Virginia. She became only the second Black woman ever hired there in a professional capacity, following Ida Doubleday.
At the time, the Naval Proving Ground was a hub of cutting-edge computational research, and opportunities for Black professionals—especially women—in technical federal roles were exceedingly rare due to systemic segregation and discrimination. West's hiring represented a significant crack in these barriers, opening doors that had been closed to women of color in scientific government service.
This position marked the beginning of a 42-year career during which West would make foundational contributions to satellite geodesy and the mathematical modeling that would later enable GPS technology. Her entry into this workforce is a landmark moment in the history of both women in STEM and African Americans in federal scientific service, paralleling the stories of other 'hidden figures' like those at NASA during the same era.