Sally Ride broke several barriers when she blasted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida aboard the shuttle Challenger on June 18, 1983. At age 32, Ride became the first American woman to journey into space. The historic flight changed the face of America's space program forever.
The trailblazing astronaut died Monday, after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer, according her foundation website, Sally Ride Science. She was 61.
"Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model," President Obama said in a statement. "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 was born on May 26, 1951, in southern California. While growing up, Ride played competitive tennis and was good enough to win an athletic scholarship to Westlake High School (pictured here). Ride went on to receive degrees in physics and English from Stanford University.
Source: Sally Ride Science
In 1977, Ride was on her way to receiving a Ph.D. in physics when she responded to an ad in her student newspaper seeking astronauts. She was one of 35 people, and just six women, chosen from 8,000 applicants.
Source: Sally Ride Science
Ride's astronaut training included parachute jumping, water survival and learning how to fly an airplane, including the T-38 jet shown here.
Source: Sally Ride Science
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