Wonderful Women
Sally Ride’s journey from a young girl in Los Angeles to the first American woman in space showcases her dedication and resilience. Her career and personal growth offer inspiration to those facing challenges, reminding us that persistence and courage can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Early Life and Education
Sally Kristen Ride was born on May 26, 1951, in Los Angeles, California. Her parents, Dale Burdell Ride and Carol Joyce Ride, were both elders in the Presbyterian Church. Sally grew up in the neighborhoods of Van Nuys and Encino with her sister, Karen, known as “Bear.” Her father was a political science professor, and her mother worked as a volunteer counselor.
From a young age, Sally showed a keen interest in science and sports. At age 10, she began playing tennis and was coached by Alice Marble, a former world number one player. By the time she was a teenager, Sally was ranked number 20 in Southern California for girls aged 12 and under.
Academic Pursuits
Sally attended Westlake School for Girls on a tennis scholarship and later moved on to Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. However, she felt homesick and transferred to Stanford University, where she pursued her passion for science and tennis. At Stanford, Sally excelled in both academics and sports. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature in 1973. She then went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Physics in 1975 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics in 1978.
Becoming an Astronaut
In 1978, Sally Ride joined NASA as part of Astronaut Group 8, the first class to include women. She trained rigorously and served as a ground-based capsule communicator (CapCom) for the second and third Space Shuttle flights. Sally also helped develop the Space Shuttle’s robotic arm.
In June 1983, Sally made history by becoming the first American woman to fly in space on the Space Shuttle Challenger during the STS-7 mission. She operated the robotic arm to deploy and retrieve the Shuttle pallet satellite (SPAS-1). Her second space flight was on the STS-41-G mission in 1984, where she spent over 343 hours in space.
Post-NASA Career
After leaving NASA in 1987, Sally worked at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Arms Control and the University of California, San Diego. She researched nonlinear optics and Thomson scattering and served on committees that investigated the Challenger and Columbia Space Shuttle disasters.
Sally also founded Sally Ride Science in 2001, a company dedicated to promoting science education, particularly for young girls. She co-authored several books on space aimed at encouraging children to pursue careers in science.
Personal Life and Legacy
Sally Ride was a private person who kept her personal life out of the spotlight. She was married to fellow astronaut Steven Hawley during her NASA years and later had a long-term relationship with Tam O’Shaughnessy, a former Women’s Tennis Association player. Therefore, she is the first astronaut known to have been LGBT.
In 2011, Sally was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, she passed away on July 23, 2012, at the age of 61. Her contributions to science and education continue to inspire many.
Awards and Honors
Throughout her life, Sally received numerous awards, including the National Space Society’s von Braun Award and the NASA Space Flight Medal. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, the Astronaut Hall of Fame, and the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Posthumously, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
Conclusion
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