Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel to space, has often held a special place in Women’s History Month and is considered a trailblazer and role model for young girls interested in STEM.
Sally Ride – Breaking Gender Barriers
Born and raised in Los Angeles, she developed a passion for science and sports at a young age. Before she embarked on a career in space, she studied English and Physics at Stanford University at the bachelor’s degree level and also received a Master’s and Ph.D. in Physics, solidifying her educational credentials that would eventually lead her to make history in her first space flight.
Ride’s expertise in physics and her commitment to academic excellence caught the attention of NASA during a nationwide search for astronauts in 1977. She was selected as part of NASA’s class of 1978, also known as the “TFNG” (Thirty-Five New Guys). Sally Ride, along with five other women, became the first female astronaut candidate in NASA’s history. Before her historic spaceflight, Ride underwent extensive training, which included learning about spacecraft systems, navigation, and performing weightlessness training flights.
On June 18, 1983, she successfully flew to space on the Space Shuttle Challenger, a first for any woman from the United States and NASA. One year later, she then flew on a Second Mission and was an advocate
throughout the remainder of her career for science and space research. In 2001, she founded the Sally Ride Science Foundation to fulfill her passion for inspiring young women to pursue STEM careers.
Ride’s historic journey to space ended a gender barrier in science and exploration and has been considered a defining moment for inspiring women who came after her to continue their pursuit of space travel.
Throughout the years, Ride has given back tremendously to the Women in STEM movement and is a champion for young women pursuing careers in the field. In 2001, she established the Sally Ride Science Foundation, with the primary goal of offering low-cost STEM programming to young girls and
young women through partnerships with K-12 schools in the US and Internationally.
During Women’s History Month, reflecting on the accomplishments of successful women like Sally Ride provides communities the chance to reflect, engage, and further explore ways they can champion women breaking barriers and inspiring others within their own lives.
Ride’s academic achievements and dedication to breaking gender barriers in space exploration showcase her multifaceted contributions to science and education. Her journey from a physics student to an astronaut exemplifies the impact individuals with a passion for knowledge and exploration can have on shaping history.
