Sally Kristen Ride, Ph.D., Trailblazing First American Woman In Space, 1951 - 2012

[UrbScotty]

Source: MarketWatch

Sally Ride died peacefully July 23, 2012 after a courageous 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, commitment, and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless.

Sally was a physicist, the first American woman to fly in space, a science writer, and the President and CEO of Sally Ride Science. She had the rare ability to understand the essence of things and to inspire those around her to join her pursuits.

Sally's historic flight into space captured the nation's imagination and made her a household name. She became a symbol of the ability of women to break barriers and a hero to generations of adventurous young girls. After retiring from NASA, Sally used her high profile to champion a cause she believed in passionately--inspiring young people, especially girls, to stick with their interest in science, to become scientifically literate, and to consider pursuing careers in science and engineering.

In addition to Tam O'Shaughnessy, her partner of 27 years, Sally is survived by her mother, Joyce; her sister, Bear; her niece, Caitlin, and nephew, Whitney; her staff of 40 at Sally Ride Science; and many friends and colleagues around the country.

Read more: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sally-kristen-ride-phd-trailblazing-first-american-woman-in-space-1951-2012-2012-07-23

[Scairp]

1. Oh no

I didn't even know she was sick. How terribly sad.

[warrior1]

2. RIP

[hamsterjill]

3. My sympathies to her family.

I thank her for her contributions to this world, and I offer my sincere sympathies to her family and friends.

[catbyte]

56. I really wish her partner would have been able to receive benefits

After all, they were together 27 years. I don't think it's fair that just because my partner is male that I should receive something she can't.

Thank you, Sally, for taking all us girls to the stars.

Diane
Anishinaabe in MI & mom to Taz, Nigel, and new baby brother Sammy, members of Dogs Against Romney, Cat Division
"Dogs Aren’t Luggage--HISS!”

[hamsterjill]

61. And I agree 100%

n/t

[DeschutesRiver]

66. +1000. nt

...

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Unbelievable. nt

[calimary]

11. I remember when NBC played this song as we watched the space shuttle carrying

Sally Ride up into orbit, just after launch. SO cool. Just SO SO SO cool. Just made me feel like flying, myself. I was so proud that day!

[Behind the Aegis]

6. RIP. A true trailblazer. An inspiration.

[Cooley Hurd]

7. Cross mightily, Dr Ride. The heavens have a new bright star...

Last edited Mon Jul 23, 2012, 06:13 PM - Edit history (1)

[awoke_in_2003]

8. A good role model...

for young girls interested in science.

[Skittles]

12. she was a goood role model for gals, period

yes INDEED

[awoke_in_2003]

24. Very true...

I brought up science because my 10 year old granddaughter wants to be a scientist (marine biologist). I am getting me and her a year pass to the Fort Worth Science and History museum. I hope the have a women in science exhibit sometime. Too often, girls are not encouraged to pursue math and science.

She wants to study art, too, so she can paint the beauty of sharks. I told her she could minor in art. Let the marine biology pay the bills (and give her exposure to sharks) and paint for fun and possible side money.

[Zyzafyx]

9. Even though I'm agnostic,

Godspeed, Sally!

[calimary]

10. NO! Dammit. Bless her heart.

What a glass ceiling THIS woman broke! All the way into orbit, literally.

Sleep among the stars, dear lady.

[Shankapotomus]

13. RIP

[peacebird]

31. Always loved that photo!

Thank you for posting it.

[Shankapotomus]

55. It was the one I liked best too.

Glad it is your favorite.

[klook]

14. Bummer, she was super cool

About Sally Ride Science:
Sally Ride Science™ is an innovative science education company dedicated to supporting girls’ and boys’ interests in science, math and technology. We believe that when children are encouraged to pursue their interests they are inspired to think about their futures, and are better prepared to pursue a wide range of exciting opportunities in high school, college and beyond.

Dr. Sally Ride, best known as America’s first woman in space, founded Sally Ride Science in 2001 to create quality programs and products that educate, entertain, engage and inspire.

A key part of our corporate mission is to make a difference in girls' lives, and in society's perceptions of their roles in technical fields. Our school programs, classroom materials, and teacher trainings bring science to life to show kids that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating, and fun.
sallyridescience.com

She sure had a great second act -- very inspiring person.

[kestrel91316]

15. Oh, no......I didn't even know she'd been ill.........

My hero.

[Vidar]

16. Oh damn it all! Fly on, Sally, fly on.

[AtheistCrusader]

17. Unlike.

Too young..

[RainDog]

18. She was an inspiration n/t

[alphafemale]

19. Godspeed, Sally!

Yes. Girls can grow up to be astronauts! And any other damn thing they want.

[obamanut2012]

20. sigh

[DinahMoeHum]

21. Tonight, when I see the stars, I will salute her memory.

A true American hero.

[MADem]

22. I am saddened. I did not know she was ill. nt

[Chorophyll]

23. What a loss.

Rest in peace, Ms. Ride.

[AllyCat]

25. Godspeed Ms. Ride.

You were an inspiration to millions and are gone from us way too soon.

[redqueen]

26. RIP

An incredibly inspiring woman.

http://m.jezebel.com/5928412/sally-ride-the-first-american-woman-in-space-succumbs-to-cancer-at-61?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_facebook&utm_source=jezebel_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

[Booster]

27. Ride, Sally, ride. What a woman. RIP You did women everywhere proud.

[HeiressofBickworth]

28. How sad

Ms. Ride was one of the icons of our time. I always thought of her getting to a venerable old age, relating her stories of space and scientific achievement to a curious youth. We'll now have to rely on the richness of her legacy -- she died way too soon.

[allan01]

29. re:Sally Kristen Ride, Ph.D., Trailblazing First American Woman In Space, 1951 - 2012

sally ride. silent key .

[PlanetBev]

30. I went to middle school with her

After a year, they took her out and put her in private school. It became obvious that she was brilliant, and did not need to waste her brain space on the rest of us idiots at Portola Jr. High.

Really sad news....

[Flaxbee]

45. She was my physics professor at UCSD -

a mindless survey course I had to take to graduate, full of 100s of students. Even though she was covering the basics, she didn't make it seem like she was bored, and she was a good teacher.

Very sad to hear she has died.

[Historic NY]

32. Excelsior, Sally Ride, Excelsior..

[LadyHawkAZ]

33. :( RIP

[Plucketeer]

34. It's folks like Sally

that make me wanna wish there's an afterlife.

[malthaussen]

35. Aw, shit.

[TuxedoKat]

36. How sad

She was such a great role model. RIP Ms. Ride.

[horseshoecrab]

37. RIP to a true trailblazer

What a remarkable woman.

Condolences to her family and friends.

[mike_c]

38. damn...

...there's something in my eye....

[YankeyMCC]

39. _/\_

[mentalsolstice]

40. I heard the news on the radio in my car...damn

She was an inspiration for all, even those of us who are not gifted in the sciences. My heart goes out to her partner, Tam, and her family. Pancreatic cancer is a particularly cruel disease...

[TheDebbieDee]

41. RIP! Sally. I hope you enjoy this last ride best.............

[YOHABLO]

42. pancreatic cancer is a killer

there's not much the can do with this type of cancer .. I believe Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer as well. Such wonder people taken away .. I hope they are in a far better place now. Very sad to hear this.

[rurallib]

43. And a hero to my young daughters in the '80s

to let them know that a woman can do whatever they are capable of.
Thank you, Sally Ride, for helping me raise a couple of strong, independent American women.
We will be forever grateful.
Written with tears in my eyes.

[mwdem]

44. So sad...

She was so inspirational. Also my age.

[longship]

46. Oh Dear!

I heard that on PBS Newshour this evening and broke out in tears.

I am devastated. I was a big fan of hers.

[slackmaster]

47. She's still listed as a Professor in the Physics Department at UCSD

I had not heard that she was sick.

RIP Dr. Ride!

[Odin2005]

48. OMG, I didn't even know she was ill!

[Norbert]

49. Fair winds and great voyages Sally Ride

You are an inspiration to us all.

[lovuian]

50. She was Awesome

Inspiration to young people

[Brigid]

51. Like many, I didn't know she was ill.

RIP, Sally Ride. Condolences to her family and friends.

[Javaman]

52. damn.

Rest In Peace, Ms. Ride.

Damn.

[virgdem]

53. What sad news...

and what a tremendous inspiration to countless numbers of girls who have and will benefit from her example. Sleep well among the stars Sally!!

[1620rock]

54. ...and now she flys with the angels...touch the stars Sally.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

57. "Tam O'Shaughnessy, her partner of 27 years,..."

I hadn't known that.

[Evasporque]

60. She was in the "Hide and Lie" era....prior to DADT...

Had she been openly out, she would never of gone to space.

[sinkingfeeling]

58. Fly beyond the stars, Sally.

[Blue_Tires]

59. r.i.p.

[riderinthestorm]

63. "All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary." Sally Ride, brave spirit. RIP nt

[tavalon]

64. i saw Sally Ride at a number of briefings years ago. I alwas felt she must have given up much

to be the first woman in space. Turns out, she was the first lesbian in space and that is magnificent times two! And she had what sounds like a good relationship with her partner.

I wish her safe passage and her family a gentle grief that lessens with time to become gentle loving memories of an historic and yet really, really normal woman. She represented us in space with great dignity and we have lost something good today.

I am sad.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

65. may I repeat what you said?

you put it just right.


peace

[tavalon]

68. Of course

She was special to me as the first woman in space and having seen her personally a number of times, I felt a lot of female pride in her accomplishments. As a staunch supporter of gay rights, I'm very gratified to find out she was a lesbian with a longterm partner. But, I am sad, as she leaves this world just a little less bright.

[sonias]

67. Heartbreaking

She was an inspiration. A pioneer and great role model for women.

I thank her for all her work in her life. May she live in the stars forever.

Rest in peace, Sally Ride!

[Remmah2]

69. So damn young.

[mainer]

70. No mention that she was once a pro tennis player, too

But she realized she'd never be tops at tennis, so became a physicist instead.

Truly a Renaissance woman.