Sally Ride

Sally Ride [1951 – 2012] was an American astronaut and physicist. She joined NASA in 1978 and became the first American woman in space in 1983. She is also the first acknowledged gay astronaut. Ride created Imaginary Lines, a company which supports girls interested in math, science and technology. She also wrote seven children’s books with space exploration themes. She and partner Tam O’Shaughnessy established Sally Ride Science, a nonprofit that encourages children to take an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM.) President Barack Obama posthumously awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2013. Even after her death, Sally Ride’s legacy inspires people to reach for the stars.