Advertisement
Advertisement
A photo of Sally Kristen Ride

Sally Kristen Ride 1951 - 2012

Sally Kristen Ride of San Diego County, California United States was born on May 26, 1951 in Encino, Los Angeles County, and died at age 61 years old on July 23, 2012 at La Jolla in San Diego, San Diego County. Sally Ride was buried at City of Santa Monica Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary - Funeral Home, Cremation & Burials 1847 14th St, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County.
Sally Kristen Ride
San Diego County, California United States
May 26, 1951
Encino, Los Angeles County, California, USA
July 23, 2012
La Jolla in San Diego, San Diego County, California, United States
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Sally.
Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.
Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...
Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Sally Kristen Ride's History: 1951 - 2012

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.
  • Introduction

    Sally Kristen Ride was an American astronaut, physicist, and engineer who made history as the first American woman to travel to space. Her groundbreaking achievements as an astronaut and her pioneering work in science and technology continue to inspire and influence people around the world. Born in 1951 in Los Angeles, California, Ride was an accomplished student from a young age, excelling in science, math, and athletics. She went on to attend Stanford University, where she earned degrees in physics and English, and later completed a PhD in physics at Stanford, studying topics related to X-ray astronomy and astrophysics. In 1978, Ride was selected by NASA as one of the first six women to join the astronaut corps. She trained extensively for several years, and in 1983, she made history as the first American woman to travel to space, serving as a mission specialist on the space shuttle Challenger. Ride would go on to serve as a mission specialist on one more space shuttle mission, and she continued to be involved in NASA's work in various capacities throughout her career.
  • 05/26
    1951

    Birthday

    May 26, 1951
    Birthdate
    Encino, Los Angeles County, California USA
    Birthplace
  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Sally Kristen Ride was born to a white, middle-class family in Los Angeles, California. Her parents, Joyce and Dale Ride, were both of English, German, and Norwegian descent, and they were both involved in education. Joyce was a volunteer counselor and later a women's rights activist, while Dale worked as a professor of political science. Sally was the oldest of two daughters and grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. Her parents encouraged her and her sister to pursue their interests and passions, and they provided them with opportunities to explore a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities.
  • Nationality & Locations

    She was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in nearby Encino, where she attended public schools and developed her love of science and athletics. After earning her bachelor's and master's degrees at Stanford University in California, Ride spent some time working as a physicist and then as a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. In the 1980s, Ride moved to Houston, Texas, to train for her first space shuttle mission with NASA. She lived in Houston for several years and worked at the Johnson Space Center, where she helped to develop and implement various aspects of the space shuttle program. Later in her career, Ride split her time between California, where she was a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., where she worked as a science advisor to the federal government. Despite her many travels and accomplishments, Ride always remained deeply committed to her home state of California and was an active member of various educational and environmental organizations there.
  • Early Life & Education

    Sally Kristen Ride was an excellent student throughout her school career. She attended Portola Junior High and Birmingham High School in Los Angeles, California, where she excelled in science, mathematics, and English. Her parents encouraged her to explore a wide range of interests, and Sally became interested in tennis, softball, and other sports during her high school years. After graduating from high school in 1968, Sally attended Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor's degree in physics in 1973. She then went on to pursue graduate studies in physics at Stanford University in California, where she received her master's degree in 1975 and her Ph.D. in 1978. Throughout her education, Sally was often one of only a few women in her classes and programs. However, she was undaunted by the male-dominated nature of her fields of study and was determined to succeed.
  • Military Service

    Ride joined the United States Navy in 1978 and was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she trained as a pilot. She became one of the first women to fly on a U.S. military aircraft, flying on an ER-2 high-altitude research plane as a communications officer. Ride was later selected for the astronaut program, and in 1983, she became the first American woman to fly in space as a crew member on the space shuttle Challenger. She made a total of two spaceflights and spent more than 343 hours in space. Even as an astronaut, Ride maintained her military affiliation and retired from the Navy in 1989 as a captain. During her time in the military, she received numerous awards and honors, including the Navy Commendation Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Ride's military service was an important part of her career and helped pave the way for other women to follow in her footsteps. Her pioneering achievements continue to inspire generations of women in the military and in the space program.
  • Professional Career

    Sally Ride was a physicist and astronaut who became the first American woman to travel to space. She joined NASA in 1978 and was selected as an astronaut candidate the following year. She completed her training and was assigned to the Challenger mission in 1983, becoming the first American woman to travel to space. After her historic flight, Ride served on the commission that investigated the Challenger disaster in 1986 and worked to improve safety protocols for future space shuttle missions. She went on to fly on one more space shuttle mission in 1984 and served as a ground-based communicator for several other missions. In addition to her work as an astronaut, Ride was a passionate advocate for science education and worked to inspire young people, especially girls and young women, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She co-founded Sally Ride Science, a company that created educational programs and materials to promote STEM education and careers, and authored several books on science and space for young readers. Ride also served as a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego, where she taught and conducted research in astrophysics and helped to establish the university's Center for Women in Science and Engineering. She was a dedicated advocate for women's rights and worked to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields throughout her career.
  • Personal Life & Family

    Ride was married to fellow astronaut Steve Hawley from 1982 to 1987. She kept her personal life separate from her work as an astronaut and scientist, but she was known to be close with her family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them whenever possible. Outside of her work, Ride was an accomplished athlete who enjoyed playing tennis and competing in equestrian events. She was also an avid reader who loved science fiction and mystery novels. Throughout her life, Ride was committed to promoting gender and racial equality and worked to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology. She believed that anyone could succeed in STEM fields if they were given the right opportunities and support, and she worked tirelessly to create those opportunities for others.
  • 07/23
    2012

    Death

    July 23, 2012
    Death date
    She passed away after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
    Cause of death
    La Jolla in San Diego, San Diego County, California United States
    Death location
  • Gravesite & Burial

    mm/dd/yyyy
    Funeral date
    City of Santa Monica Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary - Funeral Home, Cremation & Burials 1847 14th St, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California 90404, United States
    Burial location
  • share
    Memories
    below
Advertisement
Advertisement

Add Memories, Stories & Photos about Sally

Sally Ride - 1st U.S. Female Astronaut dies
Sally Ride - 1st U.S. Female Astronaut dies
Sally Kristen Ride,was born on May 26, 1951 in Encino, California. She died on July 23, 2012 in La Jolla, California after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 61. Her mother was Joyce Ride and her father Dale Ride.

She graduated from Westlake high school in 1968. She received her bachelor of science in Physics and bachelor of arts in English from Stanford University in 1973. In 1975 she acquired a master of science. In 1978, she received her doctorate degree in Physics.

On June 18, 1983 at 32 years old, she launched aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger as the first (and then youngest) female National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Astronaut. She joined the space agency in 1978 and left in 1987.

Sally Ride was a humble individual who focused 100% on fulfilling her role as an astronaut and ignored the media who developed stories based on her being the first U.S. woman in space. Believe it or not, Sally became an astronaut by winning out amongst 8,000 people who responded to an advertisement in a newspaper seeking applicants for the NASA space program.

She made a second flight aboard Challenger in 1984. She was set to do another flight, but it was canceled after the 1986 Challenger disaster. She served on the Presidential Commission investigating the accident.
Ride helped develop the shuttle's robotic arm.

In 1989, she became a Professor of Physics at UCSD and Director of the University of California’s California Space Institute.

In 2001, she founded Sally Ride Science to motivate girls and young women to pursue careers in science, math and technology.

Ride wrote five children’s science books.

Dr. Ride received a myriad of honors and awards included the NASA Space Flight Medal. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Astronaut Hall of Fame.



People in photo include: Sally Ride
Date & Place: at NASA in California USA
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Loading...one moment please loading spinner
Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement

Sally Ride's Family Tree & Friends

Sally Ride's Family Tree

Parent
Parent
Partner
Child
Sibling
Advertisement
Advertisement
Friendships

Sally's Friends

Friends of Sally Friends can be as close as family. Add Sally's family friends, and her friends from childhood through adulthood.
Advertisement
Advertisement
2 Followers & Sources
Loading records
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement
Back to Top