Astronaut and icon, Sally Ride, was the first American woman to journey into space, and changed the face of STEM and space exploration forever. She also had a connection to La Jolla you may not have known.
Born on May 26, 1951, in Los Angeles, Ride spent her early years in Encino, balancing her love for sports and science. While the world remembers her for her groundbreaking NASA missions, her later years in La Jolla, revealed her passion for education and equity in science — defining her enduring legacy.
Source: NASA – Sally Ride Biography.
PASSION FOR SCIENCE AND SPORTS
Ride’s childhood was anything but ordinary, sources report. An accomplished tennis player, she considered a professional athletic career before ultimately choosing academics. After graduating from Westlake School for Girls, she attended Stanford University, where she earned degrees in English and physics — an unusual combination that reflected her curiosity and intellect. By 1978, she had completed her Ph.D. in physics, making her one of a small group of women in the field at the time.
Source: Stanford Alumni Profiles.
NASA’S CALL
In 1977, Ride’s career trajectory shifted dramatically when NASA began accepting women into its astronaut training program. Chosen as one of six women in the 1978 astronaut class, Ride quickly emerged as a role model for breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.
On June 18, 1983, aboard the space shuttle Challenger, Ride became the first American woman to travel to space. During the mission, she operated the shuttle’s robotic arm and conducted various experiments, paving the way for future women astronauts. She flew a second mission in 1984, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in aerospace.
Source: NASA’s Women in Space.
THE LA JOLLA YEARS
After leaving NASA in 1987, Ride relocated to La Jolla where she took on dual roles at UC San Diego as a physics professor and director of the California Space Institute. Her time at UC San Diego allowed her to inspire countless students while engaging in public advocacy for STEM education.
In 2001, Ride co-founded Sally Ride Science, an organization headquartered in La Jolla that aimed to make STEM accessible, especially to girls and underrepresented groups. Through innovative teaching materials and workshops, her organization helped transform how educators approached science.
Source: Sally Ride Science – About.
ADVOCATE FOR THE FUTURE
Ride also authored several children’s books, often co-written with her longtime partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy. These books made complex topics like climate science and space exploration relatable for young readers, cementing Ride’s legacy as an educator.
Her testimony before Congress and tireless advocacy for better STEM opportunities for women and minorities reshaped the landscape of science education. Her work turned La Jolla into a hub of educational innovation, sparking change across the nation.
Source: National Women’s History Museum – Sally Ride.
A PRIVATE LIFE, A PUBLIC LEGACY
Ride’s private life became widely known only after her death when her relationship with O’Shaughnessy was publicly acknowledged. Despite this, she remained focused on her mission, keeping her personal life out of the spotlight to advance her goals in STEM advocacy.
On July 23, 2012, Ride died in La Jolla from pancreatic cancer. Her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
It is easy to see why Ride has become an icon thanks to her many accomplishments while she was alive and after her death.
Source: New York Times Obituary.
HONORING HER LEGACY
Today, Sally Ride’s contributions are celebrated worldwide:
The Sally Ride EarthKAM continues to connect students with the International Space Station, allowing them to take photos of Earth from space.
The R/V Sally Ride, a U.S. Navy research vessel, furthers scientific discovery in her name.
Numerous scholarships and educational programs honor her commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists.
FUN FACTS
At age 32, Ride became the youngest American astronaut to travel to space.
She is posthumously recognized as the first LGBTQ+ astronaut.
The Astronaut Hall of Fame inducted her in 2003.
The R/V Sally Ride honors her legacy in oceanographic research.
Sources for further reading:
NASA’s Profile on Sally Ride: nasa.gov
UC San Diego’s Sally Ride Science: ucsd.edu
“Sally Ride, Trailblazing Astronaut, Dies at 61” – New York Times (2012): nytimes.com
Sally Ride Science Official Site: sallyridescience.com
Biography.com Profile: biography.com