Sally Ride, a woman who literally showed all girls and women how to reach for the stars. People all over America look up to her as one of the most important heroic figures:”I was a child of the’80s. Sally Ride was one of the first important names I remember. She means success and steadiness to me”, “Sally Ride is a true U. S. hero for all who deserve total civil rights”, “She showed that women can have it all: a loving relationship, professional fulfillment and be a role model for all women and girls. ” Sally Ride was the first American woman in space.
She accomplished this tremendous milestone during a time when women were looked down upon in the academic world. Women were thought to not have the capability to be smart or too emotional to think reasonably. Ride’s achievements proved them wrong, and she worked her whole life to get young girls to go against the stereotype. Sally Ride’s works and achievements inspire and encourage little girls everywhere to pursue academics, making her a true hero. Sally was born a normal child like everybody else, however, it’s her personal life that shaped her to become someone special.
She was born on May 26, 1951 to Dale Burdell and Carol Joyce. Growing up, as her friends and family describe her, she was athletic, energetic, scholarly and always eager to explore, filled with curiosity (Sally Ride 1 2) Her need for adventure led her to NASA and space exploration. Ride’s brilliance was not appreciated as she lived in a man’s world. In her youth she rigorously trained for a possibly professional tennis career, which later helped her through her training in NASA. Ride’s tennis skills got a her a scholarship to Westlake School for girls where she developed her knack for science.
For college she went to Stanford University where she was encouraged to pursue science and mathematics(Sally1 1). She received P. h. d. ‘s in physics, astronomy, and astrophysics (Sally1 4). When the President of Harvard at the time said “girls can’t cut it in science because they lack the inherent ability” she commented that remark touched a nerve, and pushed her even more towards greatness, so in retrospect, he did her a favor (Cole 1). Throughout her life Sally Ride came across a lot of obstacles, she used them to boost herself up and be better than before.
She had to compete among ten thousand people to get selected, then 29 men and five other women who were equally if not more qualified to get her spot on the shuttle. (Ride 2) When she was chosen to be the first American woman in space, media jumped on her. They often bombarded her with sexist questions and remarks. During a press conference she was asked if she wept when she got frustrated she simply laughed and said “Why don’t people ask (STS-7 Pilot) Rick (Hauck) these questions? “.
She never lashed out or was rude to the media about these harassments, she answered these questions gracefully and with humor, like NASA reports “Sally Ride broke barriers with grace and professionalism – and literally changed the face of America’s space program,” (Garneth 1). She let her actions speak for themselves, she didn’t need to be crude. Throughout her lifetime Ride obtained a lot of firsts in NASA. She became the first American woman to fly into space in June 18, 1983. During this time she was also the first to marry another astronaut in active duty, her ex husband Steven Hawley.
She was the youngest person ever, to make a trip into space, and first mission specialist to make it twice. (Sally Ride 1 2-4). She was given the job of capcom, during the Columbia space shuttles, the capcom has one of the most important jobs in the shuttle program and has to understand every aspect of the mission. She was the first woman for this role (Sally Ride2 2-3). Not only she created educational programs but also programs to advance space research. After the Challenger tragedy, she tried to build up NASA’s reputation as safe again and involve more astronauts at management levels(Sally 5).
She had already proved herself at NASA, so she decided to go one step further. She made it her personal mission to educate more young girls in science and math She went to schools to lecture and motivate them (Sally Ride 2 5-6). She urged little girls drop the “I am a woman, so I can’t possibly be smart” attitude. It was important to her they see her as and scientist and astronaut, not just the first woman who went to space, “It’s important to me that people don’t think I was picked for the flight because I am a woman and it’s time for NASA to send one”(Sally Ride1 4).
She wrote several children’s books like To Space and Back and Voyager: An Adventure to the Edge of the Solar System(Sally Ride2 4). In 2001, Ride founded Sally Ride Science, an education company that supports and fosters children’s, especially young girls’, interest in science, math, engineering, and technology in 2001(Sally Ride1 6). She created Sally Ride Science Program to say to the little girls in school “hey girls, it’s your universe too. Science isn’t a guy thing. Not only can you be a girl, you can be a mom, wear makeup….. nd still be a scientist”(Cole 1).
She made science look “cool” again to little kids. Ride’s accomplishments, from her being the first American woman in space to her efforts to get girls into science, helped move America in the right direction. One thing is guaranteed, even after 100 years Sally Ride will never be forgotten, because her legacy and her impact is evident in this nation’s little scientists and NASA. Her accomplishments are seen as a significant achievement in the movement in U. S. society to remove gender barriers(Ride 2).
She was one of the finest leader, teacher and explorer in the nation. She celebrated life, “The thing that I’ll remember most about the flight is that it was fun. “In fact, I’m sure it was the most fun I’ll ever have in my life” and encouraged others to do the same (Garneth 1). In 2009, U. S. News & World Report named her one of America’s best leaders, due to her work (Sally Ride1 6). In 2013, Ride was awarded posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian awards in the United States, from President Barack Obama (Sally 7).
Ride was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, one of the highest awards a civilian can achieve in United States. She taught kids what a true scientist looks like, not a white haired, crazy person, but someone who is exploring and has an inquisitive mind. She taught the scientist could be, one day, them. There are very few things more heroic than securing the world’s future, which is what Sally Ride did by motivating and going opportunities to thousands of young girls in science. She became the first American woman in space at a very young age.
She didn’t let a cruel and discriminating society bring her down, instead she lifted up her chin, straightened her back and showed them what a single woman is capable of. Her books, programs, and legacy inspire children all over the world to get out of society’s mold. Be brave, be strong, dare to dream and dare to take action. Her message is going to be forever rooted in the nation’s legacy. Even though she is gone from the world, she has left a crater so distinctive and powerful, that it’s ensured it will never fade.