Sally Ride

She was born May 26, 1951Los Angeles,USA, she grew up in California and showed an early interest in science, reading and sports. She was good at tennis.

She received a Bachelor's degree in English and physics ('73) a Master's Degree in physics ('75) and a Ph. D in astrophysics ('78) all from Stanford University, Parents: Dale Ride (political science professor) and Carol Ride (volunteer counselor)
Sally Ride was very private about her personal life. She later became known as an advocate for science.

Ride joined NASA in 1978, one of the first six women to be selected by NASA as astronauts. She was named a mission specialist for Space Shuttle Challenger's STS-7 mission in 1983 and flew on a second mission in 1984.

Accomplishments and Contributions to STEM

-First American woman in space (1983)
-Flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger
-Helped investigate the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters
-Dedicated her later life to improving STEM education and inspiring young students

Obstacles Overcome

• Faced gender stereotypes in science and space exploration
• Entered a field where very few women were accepted

Sally received many honors during her life, including induction into the Astronaut Hall of Fame, the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Aviation Hall of Fame, She was twice awarded the NASA Space Flight Medal, and in 2012 she was honored with the National Space Grant Distinguished Service Award

She died in 2012 from pancreatic cancer. Her life-partner Tam O'Shaughnessy is there to help introduce the new stamp on Sally Ride's. She is the only gay person to been an astronaut.

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