Biography

Sally Kristen Ride was born on May 26, 1951, in Encino, California.  In 1973, she received a Bachelor of Science in physics and a Bachelor of Arts in English. She continued at Stanford, earning her Master of Science and doctorate degrees in physics in 1975 and 1978. In 1977, Ride answered a newspaper ad placed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Realizing that technological and scientific skills were as important to the future of the Space Program as good pilots, NASA began a search for young scientists to serve as "mission specialists" on future space flights. Ride was one of only 5 women selected for NASA’s class of ’78. 

Ride was one of five crew members aboard the space shuttle Challenger STS-7. On June 18, 1983, she became the first American woman in space and the youngest American in space at that time. The mission took one week to complete. Before her launch, Dr. Ride was interviewed several times about her preparation for going into space. Among questions about her training, she was also asked questions about how space was going to affect her ability to reproduce, and what kind of makeup she was going to take on the mission. She handled the questions with grace and later said, “It’s too bad this is such a big deal. It’s too bad our society isn’t further along.” During the mission, Ride was the flight engineer. She launched two communication satellites and operated the shuttle’s mechanical arm as well as conducted experiments.

On October 5, 1984, Ride went on another shuttle mission- the STS-41G. She spent eight days conducting scientific observations of the Earth. She also worked on refueling techniques for shuttles. After her second mission, Ride worked on investigating the 1986 Challenger accident. After the investigation, she took the role of special assistant to the NASA administrator for long range and strategic planning. Ride served as the Director of the California Space Science Institute, a research institute of the University of California. She also worked as a physicist and physics professor at the University of California, San Diego. Ride was a member of the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology and served on the Advisory Board of the National Women's History Museum. 

She passed away on July 23, 2012 after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 61. Not only is Ride the first American woman in space, she is also the first acknowledged gay astronaut. In 2013, President Obama posthumously honored Ride with a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dr. Sally Ride was passionate about improving science education and helping young women and girls foster an interest in science. One of her endeavors was Imaginary Lines, which supports girls interested in math, science, and technology.

“Biography: Sally Ride.” National Women’s History Museum, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sally-ride. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.