#Black Gladis

[dabard]

Not sorry at all, but it’s the most metal ass shit I’ve ever heard that a Killer Whale named “White Gladis” is leading pods of warrior orcas in a crusade to sink luxury yachts in the Strait of Gibraltar with her daughters Black Gladis and Grey Gladis as her lieutenants. FUCK THEM BOATS UP GLADIS

[geminiluvv]

Gladys Knight, 1974 ♡

[queerasfact]

Black History Month: Gladys Bentley

Gladys Bentley was famous in New York’s Harlem in the 1920s and 1930s. One of her early gigs was at the Clam House - a popular queer venue. There she caught the attention of writer Langston Hughes, who remembered: “ …Miss Bentley sat, and played a big piano all night long, literally all night, without stopping … from ten in the evening until dawn … Miss Bentley was an amazing exhibition of musical energy–a large, dark, masculine lady, whose feet pounded the floor while her fingers pounded the keyboard…”

Gladys was famous not just for her piano-playing, but her dirty improvised lyrics, and her masculine dress. From an early age, Gladys was more comfortable in masculine clothing - her trademark performing outfit was a white tuxedo. She was publicly known to be interested in women, and might even have participated in one of 1930s Harlem’s female-female weddings.

Learn more

Image: studio portrait of Gladys wearing a white tuxedo and top hat, and holding a cane

[reanimationstation]

I FINALLY FINISHED THIS. I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS LINEUP SINCE NOVEMBER. BEHOLD.

i had so so much fun designing and drawing all of them i LOVE drawing the casts of these books

[cozyaliensuperstar7]

Queens 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

#Repost @culturecentral_

——

[fyblackwomenart]

"Aesthetic Black skin girl, Marsai Martin smile black and white art" by Gladys Waweru on INPRNT

[blackinhistory]

Gladys West

Overcoming racial and gender barriers, she charted a course that led her to become a “hidden figure” behind the ubiquitous Global Positioning System (GPS). West’s work has had a profound impact on how we navigate the world today. Her story illuminates often-overlooked contributions of diverse voices in scientific progress. So, how's her work connected to the present?

Gladys West was born in 1930 in rural Sutherland, Virginia. Her family was an Black farming family and she spent much of her childhood working on the farm, surrounded by sharecroppers. Despite the challenges, she excelled in school and was determined to get an education. West's childhood on a farm instilled in her a deep understanding of precision and calculation. Despite limited resources and societal constraints, she excelled in academics, graduating with a mathematics degree from Virginia State University and went on to earn two master's degrees and a PhD. Her talent propelled her to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, where she embarked on a remarkable 42-year career. It was also there she met her husband, Ira, married in 1957, and had 3 children. She was the 2nd Black woman ever hired, and 1 of 4 Black employees, her husband included.

There, with the backdrop of Cold War tensions and burgeoning space exploration, West tackled complex mathematical problems related to satellite geodesy. This specialized field, equivalent to deciphering Earth's celestial fingerprint, held the key to precisely pinpointing locations in space. West's meticulous calculations, particularly for the groundbreaking Seasat and GEOSAT satellites, became the invisible scaffolding upon which the modern GPS system was built.

For decades, her contributions remained largely unacknowledged due to her race and gender. Yet, the accuracy and efficiency of her work spoke volumes. The precise models she developed for Earth's gravitational field and its subtle variations due to tides and other forces became the bedrock of GPS calculations. Today, whether navigating city streets or pinpointing remote wilderness locations, we unknowingly benefit from West's invisible hand.

Recognition finally arrived later in life. In 2018, the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame inducted West, acknowledging her transformative impact. That same year, the BBC included West among its "100 Women," recognizing her groundbreaking contributions. Just three years later, the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK bestowed upon her their highest individual honor, the Prince Philip Medal, cementing her place as a pioneer in her field. But her legacy extends far beyond accolades. Gladys West stands as a beacon of inspiration, not just for aspiring mathematicians, but for anyone facing systemic barriers. Her story reminds us that the path to groundbreaking discoveries is often paved by those who defy expectations and chart their own unique course.

Photo Source: Wikimedia Source: Wikipedia Source: BBC Source: Britannica Source:  Atlanta Black Star

[oldvintageglamour]

African-American opera singers Gladys Boucree, Mabel Carter, Frankie Fambro, & Mabel Walker putting on their makeup for a rehearsal of "Mikado", 1939 🖤🖤🖤🖤

[lovelolly3]

I love being this happy🩵💛

I am always grateful for this feeling.💛🩵

[little-desi-historian]

Black Historical Figures I think are cool af!

Happy Black History Month! Below the cut you’ll find a list of 10 black historical figures I think are super cool (and often overlooked in favour of their white/non-black counterparts) all of the figures are inspirational to me in some way and I think anyone can learn from their examples, regardless of race.

Dido Elizabeth Belle aka Dido Belle Lindsay - staying the course of your beliefs, knowing you deserve better. Knowing what’s right is more than possible.

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George(s) - don’t let anyone take your talents and passions from you. Those who treat you wrong don’t deserve you.

Phillis Weatly/Phyllis Weatly - no matter what you’ve been subjected to, don’t let anyone take your voice from you.

James Armistead Lafayette - fight (spy) for what you believe in. You may turn out to be the most powerful piece in the fight.

Harriet Tubman - no matter the evils of the world, there are good people out there, don’t forget your strengths and allies.

Freda Josephine Baker (née McDonald) best known simply as Josephine Baker - dance and keep dancing, no matter how bad things are. You only live once.

Bessie Coleman - pursue your dreams no matter who tells you that you can’t. You may match them in renown yet.

Gladys Bentley - wear what you want, speak how you want, and love whomever you choose.

Martha P. Johnson - be here, be queer, and speak truth to power.

Maya Angelou born Marguerite Annie Johnson - write, write, write, oh… and don’t fear life.

[justhere707]

Gladys Knight

[readyforevolution]

Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle and Dionne Warwick ❤ 1986 🌹

[geminiluvv]

Gladys Knight , 1973 <3

[mydaylight]

If Julian Fellowes really intends to make us go through a GeorgeBertha divorce a la the Vanderbilts, can we at least have Alva's 1884 pregnancy first? I mean I am not usually a huge fan of pregnancy storylines but the least they could do is to give us something sweet to tide us over

(I mean I'm definitely not convinced it will happen, but just saying)

[tabney2023]

Gladys Knight & The Pips: Love Overboard

[queerasfact]

Happy birthday Gladys Bentley!

Gladys Bentley was born on this day, August 12, in 1907. She was famous in New York’s Harlem in the 1920s and 1930s for her energetic piao playing, her dirty improvised lyrics, and her masculine dress. From an early age, Gladys was more comfortable in masculine clothing - her trademark performing outfit was a white tuxedo.

Gladys was publicly known to be interested in women, and might even have participated in one of 30s Harlem’s female-female weddings.

Check out our podcast to learn more!

[Image: studio portrait of Gladys wearing a white tuxedo and top hat, and holding a cane]