Sally Ride 1951-2012
On this date in 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman, the
third woman to fly in space and the first LGBTQ astronaut. A graduate of
Stanford with a Doctorate in Philosophy in physics, she distinguished
herself at NASA, clocking more than 383 hours in space and working on
many projects including the Space Shuttle’s robotic arm. After leaving
NASA in 1989, she founded her own company, to inspire young women to
pursue careers in science, math and technology. Although married to a
fellow astronaut during her spaceflight years, she went on to have a 27-
year relationship with her life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, with whom she
wrote several books on space and climate change.
“I would like to be remembered as someone who was not afraid to be do
what she wanted to do and as someone who took risks along the way to
achieve her goals.” Sally Ride
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