Sally Ride Succumbs to Cancer



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 Sally Ride died July 23 at the age of 61 after an eighteen-month battle with pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a legacy of accomplishments and dedication to America's space program. Most people will remember Ride for her precedent-setting 1983 journey on the space shuttle Challenger, the first time a woman formed part of a space crew.

President Obama paid tribute to her soon after heaing the news of her death. As the first American woman to travel into space, Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model. She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools. Sally's life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve, and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come."

Sally Ride earned a PhD in astrophysics from Stanford, one of four college degrees she amassed. She was among 8,000 women applicants seeking to join the space program in 1978 and was selected as one of the astronaut corps to train on the shuttle. Anyone old enough to remember her first time in space will remember that the refrain "Ride, Sally, Ride" from Mustang Sally was played endlessly as stories of her Challenger journey abounded in the media. The next year, she was aboard when the Challenger traveled into space for a second time. While in training for a third mission, the Challenger exploded in 1986, killing all seven crew members. She left the space agency a year later, and served for years as a physics professor and director of the California Space Institute.

Throughout her professional life, she advocated for more emphasis on science in education and encouraged girls to explore careers in science and dream large. Ham on Wry honors Sally Ride in this post and believes she inspired many young girls who wanted to "go where no woman had gone before." In doing so, Ride has touched infinity.