First Queer American Woman To Go To Space

Sally Ride’s legacy as a pioneering astronaut, talented physicist, and dedicated educator continues to inspire many. On June 18, 1983, Ride made history as the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. She reinforced her status with a second shuttle flight, symbolizing progress in space exploration. After her NASA career, Ride focused on science education, influencing countless young minds. Sadly, she passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2012.

Ride’s personal life, especially her sexual orientation, remained private until her death. Her obituary revealed her long-time partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, making Ride the first known gay astronaut. Ride and O’Shaughnessy were partners for 27 years and co-founded Sally Ride Science to promote science education. Ride’s sister, Bear, explained that Sally’s private nature and heritage led her to keep her personal life secret. Bear, a strong LGBTQ+ rights advocate, emphasized that Sally’s integrity and commitment remained strong despite their different approaches.

Historically, astronauts faced pressure to conform to societal norms, including those related to gender and sexuality. This context helps explain why Sally Ride kept her personal life private. Her coming out after her death represents a significant step towards greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in traditionally conservative fields.

After NASA, Ride championed science education, especially for young girls. In 2001, she co-founded Sally Ride Science to inspire students to pursue science and technology careers. Programs like EarthKAM and MoonKAM allowed students to take photos of Earth and the moon from space, reaching hundreds of thousands globally. Ride’s dedication to education was lasting and impactful.

Born on May 26, 1951, in Encino, California, Sally Kristen Ride was encouraged by her parents to be curious and explore. Excelling in school and sports, she attended Westlake High School for Girls on a tennis scholarship and later studied physics at Stanford University, earning degrees in physics and English, followed by a master’s and a doctorate in physics.

Ride’s NASA career began in 1978 as one of the first six female astronauts. She first served as a capsule communicator before making history as a mission specialist on STS-7, operating the shuttle’s robotic arm. Her second flight, STS-41-G, showcased her skills further. Ride was set for a third mission, but the Challenger disaster in 1986 ended her spaceflight career.

Beyond her missions, Ride served on the Challenger and Columbia disaster investigation boards and helped shape NASA’s future goals. She worked at Stanford and UC San Diego while promoting science education through her company and authored children’s books to inspire young readers.

Sally Ride’s contributions have been recognized with many awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ride’s story is a testament to the power of pursuing passions and breaking barriers, both in space and societal norms.

Re-reported from the article originally published in She the People.