Gladys Wood graduated from Smith College in 1915. After graduation she was employed by Comstock & Westcott, Inc., pioneers in the development of color film. She was secretary and recorder for Comstock's scientific group in investigating the authenticity of Margery, the famous psychic medium of the 1920's. From 1939 to 1969 she administered the Boston office of Admiral Richard E. Byrd, the only permanent unit in the continental U.S. devoted to Arctic exploration and research.