Gala Launched NCWI & Honored

Dr. Gladys Brown West

Dr. Gladys B. West was the surprise Gala guest.

Make her birthday year memorable.

Support her interactive exhibit /STEM educational module.

Dr. Gladys B. West, enabler of GPS celebrated  her 93rd birthday on October 27, 2023  as NCWI honored her and held our inaugural nationwide launch.  NCWI and Dr. West received a rousing embrace from luminaries like DEBORAH ROBERTS, ABC 20/20 co-anchor national correspondent, BK Fulton, Filmmaker and former Verizon CEO in Virginia and West Virginia, youngsters,  Danette Anthony Reed, International CEO/President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Jummy Olanbanjim, NBC 4 anchor, along with academic, corporate, community and governmental leaders .  We were delighted that three tables of young girls also were present to be inspired.  According to Dr. West, “It was the best day of her life!”

Support the Exhibit

Keynote Speaker, Deborah Roberts, ABC National News Correspondent

Award Recipient, Danette Anthony Reed, International President/CEO, Alpha Kappa Alpha

Award Recipient, Gwen James, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Sister

Putting Dr. Gladys Brown West on the Map

It’s simple. Women’s innovations have changed our society, but we don’t know their names. We all love GPS, but too few know it was Dr. Gladys B. West who enabled GPS! It is time to put her on the map of recognition!

The time has come – long overdue – to spotlight the forgotten achievements of women innovators so that they become inspiring role models for all of us, especially encouraging all youth to pursue STEM fields. That’s the mission of the National Center for Women’s Innovations (NCWI) which was demonstrated at our Inaugural Gala, October 27, 2023 when we celebrated, the 93rd birthday of Dr. Gladys Brown West, the Black mathematician whose mapping of the world enabled GPS. As a proud Virginia Tech and Virginia State graduate, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sister, and a Dahlgren retiree, Dr. Gladys Brown West is the perfect role model for overcoming odds, gender and racial challenges while benefitting the world.

Together we will put her on the map! Text to give. Make Dr. Gladys B. West’s 93rd birthday the best by bringing her impact alive to young and old. Fund her interactive exhibit and STEM educational module. Give $93 dollars

How You Can Help Launch NCWI & Honor

Dr. Gladys Brown West’s Achievements

Support the Dr. Gladys B. West Exhibit

Provide continuing support to NCWI, which will go to help not only celebrate Dr. Gladys B. West’s achievement, as well as other great women inventors.

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Gala Committee

Thanks to Gala Committee for a Smashing Success

Co-Chair: Pat Moore, Special Event Consultant
Co-Chair: Theresa Peterson, Senior Executive Director, Governmental Affairs & External Programs, General Electric

Honorary Gala Committee:

  • Congressman Don Beyer
  • Charlotte Hall, Old Town Business Association
  • Congressman Jamie Raskin
  • Terry Brackett, UN Women, USA
  • Mary Braxton-Joseph, Emmy-award winning journalist
  • Senator Adam Ebbin, Virginia
  • BK Fulton, VA Tech Alum, Chairman & CEO, Solidify Productions
  • Joe Haggerty, President & CEO, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
  • Debra M. Jacobs, President & CEO, The Patterson Foundation
  • Gwen James, AKA Sorority Sister
  • Ginger Miller, CEO WVI Foundation
  • Dr. Carolyn West Oglesby
  • Mayor Justin Wilson, City of Alexandria
  • Mary Worboys-Turner, Women in Manufacturing, Past NY State President

Thank you to Our Gala Sponsors

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