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| "Victoria": junk collage, old photo, digital. |
Victoria Claflin Woodhull (1838-1927) was born into poverty in an abusive household, and was married to an alcoholic womanizer at age 15. After she divorced him, Woodhull went on to own a newspaper, become the first woman to own a Wall Street stock brokerage and was an American leader of the women's suffrage movement. In 1872, she became the first woman to run for President of the United States, choosing Frederick Douglass as her running mate.
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2GN2S
"When you are a young person, you are like a young creek, and you meet many rocks, many obstacles and difficulties on your way. You hurry to get past these obstacles and get to the ocean.
But as the creek moves down through the fields, it becomes larges and calmer and it can enjoy the reflection of the sky. It's wonderful. You will arrive at the sea anyway so enjoy the journey. Enjoy the sunshine, the sunset, the moon, the birds, the trees, and the many beauties along the way. Taste every moment of your daily life."
Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk, on life.
The world just lost the mathematical genius behind GPS technology.
Gladys West, the mathematical titan who developed the essential foundation for GPS, has died at the age of 95.
Born in 1930 in rural Virginia, West spent her childhood picking crops before a scholarship to Virginia State College launched her into a 42-year career with the U.S. Navy.
As one of only four Black professionals at the Naval Proving Ground in 1956, she worked in quiet brilliance to solve the complex algorithms that account for the Earth's gravitational irregularities. Her calculations were not just academic exercises; they were the indispensable building blocks for the satellite navigation system that billions of people rely on today for everything from global shipping and aviation to daily commutes and smartphone apps.
For decades, West’s monumental contributions remained a "hidden" chapter of American history, recognized only late in her life through inductions into the U.S. Air Force Hall of Fame and the prestigious Prince Philip Medal. Her legacy is one of profound perseverance, having navigated the systemic barriers of the Jim Crow South to redefine how we perceive and navigate our planet. Though her work powers the digital maps on every smartphone, she famously retained a personal preference for paper maps, a humble nod to her roots and the physical world she spent a lifetime mapping. West passed away peacefully surrounded by family, leaving behind a world that is infinitely more connected and precise because of her brilliant mind.
source: NPR. (2026). Gladys West, mathematician whose work paved the way for GPS, dies at 95.
Just because ...
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| California Condor |
Friday's Smiles ...
Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.
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